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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.

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Cost

€3525

Location

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Dates

14-16 October, 2025

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

REGISTRATION

Course name:Catalysis in the Refinery
Course date:14-16 October, 2025
Delegate Details
Cancellations & Substitutions:

If you are unable to attend the course you can make a substitution. All substitutions and name changes must be received in writing by mail or e-mail no later than one week before the first course date. For cancellations received in writing after the course fee is paid and no later than 21 days before the course start date, Petrogenium will issue a credit note to be considered as a down payment for any Petrogenium courses during next 12 months. For cancellations received after 21 days before the course start date, the course material will be sent but no fees will be refunded.
Programme Changes:

The course content may be subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances. Petrogenium reserves the right to change the venue and/or lecturers, and to cancel the course, notifying the registrant 30 days before the first course date. Petrogenium accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to property belonging to, nor for any personal injury incurred by, attendees at our training courses, whether within the training course venue or otherwise.
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