Catalysis in the Refinery
Consultant/Trainer: Bob Scheffer
Catalysts are the driving force behind modern refining, enabling efficiency, maximizing yield, and meeting environmental standards. But catalyst deactivation, regeneration, and performance optimization pose complex challenges that can impact profitability.
Our Catalysis in the Refinery course is designed to give you practical, real-world expertise—not just theory. Led by seasoned refinery experts, including Bob Scheffer, who brings decades of hands-on experience in refining and catalysis, this course covering how catalysts really work, troubleshooting and optimisation and best practices in catalyst handling.
Bob has worked in refineries, solving the very challenges you face today. His deep industry knowledge ensures you gain practical, actionable insights that can boost refinery performance and prevent costly mistakes.
Cost
€3525
Location
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Dates
w/c 09 November
About the Trainer
Bob Scheffer is an experienced expert in refinery catalysis with extensive knowledge in catalyst selection, performance optimization, and troubleshooting. Throughout his career, he has worked on a wide range of catalytic processes, helping refineries enhance efficiency, extend catalyst life, and resolve operational challenges. His deep technical expertise, combined with direct industry experience, allows him to bridge the gap between theory and practical application.
As a trainer, Bob brings valuable insights, refinery case studies, and a problem-solving approach that equips participants with the skills needed to optimize catalytic performance and improve refinery operations
Participants
You may be a professional involved in refinery operations who wants to enhance your understanding of catalytic processes. This includes process engineers looking to optimize catalyst performance and troubleshoot operational issues, refinery operators aiming to improve your knowledge of catalyst handling, regeneration, and maintenance, and plant managers focused on ensuring the efficiency and profitability of catalytic processes. Additionally, technical experts, project engineers, and R&D professionals working on catalyst selection, commissioning, or new catalytic technologies will benefit from the in-depth training this course provides. Anyone focused on refining, process optimization, or catalyst management will gain valuable insights and skills.
Learning Objectives
As a participant, you’ll gain a deep understanding of refinery catalysts, their applications, and how to optimize performance. Learn to identify and prevent deactivation, extend catalyst life, and troubleshoot issues effectively. With expert insights from Bob Scheffer and real refinery case studies, you’ll develop the skills to handle catalysts safely, improve unit reliability, and enhance refinery profitability. Walk away with the knowledge to make informed decisions that drive efficiency and long-term success.
Day 1
What is Catalysis
- General principles of catalysis
- Mechanisms of reactions
- Kinetics: reaction order, activation energy
- Types of catalysts used
Catalyst Preparation
- Extrusion, impregnation, drying, calcination
- Metals distribution/dispersion
- Physical Properties and Specifications
Testing of Hydrotreating Catalysts
- Downscaling: wetting, plug flow, trickle flow
- Activation: sulfidation, reduction
Day 2
Catalyst Deactivation and Regeneration
- Deactivation Mechanisms:
- Strategies to mitigate deactivation.
- Catalyst Regeneration Techniques:
Hydrotreating
- Process
- Catalyst characteristics
- Catalyst Loading, Start-up
- /Performance Monitoring
- Deactivation, Regeneration
- Catalyst Selection
Hydrocracking
- Processes: Mild Hydrocracking, Hydrocracking
- Treating Catalysts, Cracking Catalysts, Zeolites
- Activity and Selectivity, Deactivation
- Regeneration
- Catalyst Selection
Day 3
Optimizing Catalyst Performance
- Performance monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Pilot Plant Testing
Case Studies or Q&A
Programme
Day 1
What is Catalysis
- General principles of catalysis
- Mechanisms of reactions
- Kinetics: reaction order, activation energy
- Types of catalysts used
Catalyst Preparation
- Extrusion, impregnation, drying, calcination
- Metals distribution/dispersion
- Physical Properties and Specifications
Testing of Hydrotreating Catalysts
- Downscaling: wetting, plug flow, trickle flow
- Activation: sulfidation, reduction
Day 2
Catalyst Deactivation and Regeneration
- Deactivation Mechanisms:
- Strategies to mitigate deactivation.
- Catalyst Regeneration Techniques:
Hydrotreating
- Process
- Catalyst characteristics
- Catalyst Loading, Start-up
- /Performance Monitoring
- Deactivation, Regeneration
- Catalyst Selection
Hydrocracking
- Processes: Mild Hydrocracking, Hydrocracking
- Treating Catalysts, Cracking Catalysts, Zeolites
- Activity and Selectivity, Deactivation
- Regeneration
- Catalyst Selection
Day 3
Optimizing Catalyst Performance
- Performance monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Pilot Plant Testing
Case Studies or Q&A