Chemical Engineering May 2013 - 21

Overcomes The Limitations of Conventional Zeolite
* The patented process creates a network of 40 Å pores throughout the
zeolite crystals:
- Admit and pre -crack large feed molecules
- Channel gasoline & diesel out of the zeolite
Easy
way in
Easy
way out
UnRived Zeolite
Y Zeolite
Small pores in conventional Y zeolite
are not optimal for cracking
Rive Zeolite
Rive Technology can control the
amount and size of the mesopores
FIGURE 3. The fi rst commercial results for Rive Technology's Molecular Highways
technology, where networks of larger-sized pores are integrated into the zeolite structure,
were announced at the AFPM meeting in March
Source Wood Mackenzie
ment is due to an improved catalyst
manufacturing process that enhances
the kinetics of arsenic capture, he explains.
The first commercial application
was established in Q1 of 2013.
New developments
At the AFPM meeting, a number of
companies announced new advancements
in other areas.
For example, zeolite technology
firm Rive Technology Inc. (Monmouth
Junction, N.J.; www.rivetechnology.
com), announced the second commercial
use of its Molecular Highway
technology for fluid catalytic cracking
(FCC) catalysts. Deployed commercially
at the Alon Refinery in Big
Spring, Tex., Molecular Highway catalyst
generated a $2.50/bbl increase
in value, according to a presentation
by Larry Dight, vice president of research
and development at Rive.
Rive first introduced the technology
in 2011 (Chem. Eng., May 2011, pp.
17-22), when it was used at the CountryMark
refinery in Mount Vernon,
Ind. Molecular Highway technology
is brought to market in collaboration
with W.R. Grace and Co. (Columbia,
Md.; www.grace.com), which formulates
and manufactures the catalyst.
" We've had six commercial-scale manufacturing
runs so far, " says David
Aldous, CEO of Rive. " This technology
offers a rare chance for refiners to
realize gains in profitability without
large capital expenditures and without
higher operating costs, " he says.
Using surfactant micelles, Rive is
able to create a zeolite structure with
larger, mesoporous openings interspersed
along with the microporous
zeolite structures. The larger openings
allow improved mass transfer of
hydrocarbon molecules into and out
of the catalyst material, says Andrew
Dougherty, Rive's vice president for
sales and marketing. " By getting gasoline-
and diesel-range molecules out of
the zeolite quickly, we are able to prevent
secondary cracking, " Dougherty
explains, resulting in less dry gas and
less coke formation (Figure 3).
Also at the meeting, Auterra Inc.
(Malta, N.Y.; www.auterrainc.com) announced
that it has successfully completed
pilot-scale testing of FlexDS, its
oxydesulfurization technology for upgrading
and decontaminating heavy
and sour crude oil and oil distillates.
" There's an environmental paradox
with desulfurization, where the more
sulfur you try to remove, the more
energy you use and the more carbon
dioxide you generate, " says Eric Burnett,
president and CEO of Auterra.
The catalytic FlexDS technology uses
a proprietary molecule whose structure
allows selective reactions with
sulfur and nitrogen in hydrocarbon
streams, while reducing energy costs,
Burnett explains, so petroleum producers
can field-upgrade their heavy
sour oil while improving their economics.
FlexDS can be used for off-loading
hydrogen demand for heavy cuts and
distillates in existing refineries.
" Following the completion of pilotscale
tests, we are looking to conduct
field tests of the technology in early
2014 with a partner in the Canadian
oil sands, " says Burnett.
■
Scott Jenkins
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http://www.rivetechnology http://www.auterrainc.com http://www.auma.com http://www.grace.com http://adlinks.che.com/45772-08

Chemical Engineering May 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering May 2013