Scott Barton, Technical Service Advisor, Ketjen, joins us to discuss his article that featured in the November 2025 issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering magazine.
This article, titled 'Iron resistance', considers the persistent challenge of iron poisoning in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units and the vital role that iron resistant catalysts play as refiners push the boundaries of feedstock flexibility.
We discuss:
- How refiners can deal with heavier feedstocks while still trying to maximise profitability.
- The implications of metals contamination – especially iron and calcium – on FCC unit performance.
- The benefits of an iron-resistant catalyst developed by Ketjen.
- The results of a commercial trial of the technology that was conducted at the Big West Oil FCC unit.
To read Ketjen's article, ‘Iron resistance’, please click here.
And sign up for a free subscription to Hydrocarbon Engineering here.
For more information about Ketjen, please click here.