A new zeolite filtration and stabilization facility is currently being installed within the existing cat cracking catalyst production facilities at the Gazprom Neft Omsk refinery. The commissioning of this additional facility will allow production of new-generation “Avangard” catalysts to begin, replacing the range of catalytic-cracking catalysts currently produced. Catalytic cracking is a fundamental process in secondary refining, used in the production of Euro-5 gasolines (the highest ecological standard currently available).
The new equipment is designed to improve zeolite structure — zeolites being a key component in catalytic cracking. The use of improved-structure zeolites allows catalysts to be adapted in line with specific facilities’ technical requirements in terms of crude feedstock and product quality. The high accuracy necessary for formulating components to produce tailor-made zeolites has been made possible as a result of ultra-sonic and electro-magnetic flowmeters installed at the new production line, which also will be equipped with self-cleaning filters as well as heat exchangers and mass-transfer equipment.
Gazprom Neft plans to install a pilot catalytic cracking facility in summer 2016, which will allow the pilot testing of new catalyst brands, as well as analysis of catalytic cracking catalysts currently in production.
