Germany-based hte, a high throughput experimentation company, has been selected by BP to evaluate commercial catalysts for both naphtha reforming and hydrocracking applications using high throughput technology under commercially relevant conditions for its refineries around the world.

BP selected hte for the evaluation study in order to benchmark commercial naphtha reforming and hydrocracking catalysts and compare their performance against incumbent catalysts, said a statement.

The resulting testing programme at hte will provide BP with the data to make selections for its upcoming naphtha reforming and hydrocracking catalyst change-outs, it said.

The overall aim of both projects is to measure activity, yields, and stability. In naphtha reforming, these performance parameters will be determined at constant octane operation, whereas in hydrocracking, the catalysts will be tested under various process conditions including the evaluation of product qualities. The two projects will start in the third quarter of 2018, it added.

Belma Demirel, senior engineer at BP Refining Technology and Engineering in Naperville, US, said: “We selected hte as a partner for our qualification project because of its reputation in independent catalyst testing and its ability to provide experimental services across the major refining processes.”

Wolfram Stichert, chief executive officer, hte, said: “We are very pleased to be selected as a partner for independent commercial catalyst testing by BP.”

“Our focus here is to help refineries to be cost-effective in the catalyst selection process. We are looking forward to continuing our reliable and long-lasting partnership with BP,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service