Q & A > Question Details
What are the practices followed for the disposal of Hydroprocessing catalysts:
1) Regeneration,
2) Metal recovery,
3) Disposal and replacement with new catalysts.
Is there any economic comparison of various options?
Who are the potential vendors working in different areas?
 
Answers
24/03/2009 A: James Lassner, AVIDA Americas LLC, james@AvidaAmericas.com
AVIDA Americas LLC and its global group provides Individually Customized R4 (Recycling Refining Reclamation Reuse) Programs and Services for Spent Base Metal & Spent Precious Metal Catalysts, Alloy Tubes, Sludges and other metal containing by-products. The handling of these materials requires a careful review of the Spent Catalysts (and/or other metal by-product) in question as at turnaround each catalyst varies from the next in content of metal, organics, packing, hazardous constituents etc..
No two Spent Catalysts are the same. AVIDA’s ability to provide Individually Customized programs where all aspects of the generators needs are taken into consideration, grants the generator various economically viable and most importantly environmentally prudent options for their Spent Catalysts and other metal containing by-products.
06/03/2009 A: David Berman, Amlon Resources Group LLC, dberman@amlonresources.com
Amlon Resources Group (ARG) has developed a new program for spent catalyst recycle which allows refiners to treat spent materials through a cost-effective oil-desorption unit, and subsequently place treated product into the manufacture of Ferro Alloy. The program is primarily designed for hydroprocessing catalysts which have limited catalytic value, generally the result of contaminant metal fouling, physical deterioration, or lack of interest for additional cycle application. ARG's cost-effective path enables refiners to recycle spent catalyst when metal values are low, comparing favorably with many landfill options. This reduces the refiners solid waste generation and avoids an eternal landfill liability. For market conditions of high base metal values, placement of treated materials into the largest consuming market provide refiners with significant appreciation for base metal contained. Acceptance criteria for ARG's recycle program are generally not limited by catalyst or base metal type, specific fouling, or other common limitations of competing recycle streams. This program has found acceptance worldwide.
07/10/2008 A: Samuel Sinanan, IPSL, Samuel.Sinanan@ipsl.co.tt
Regeneration is utilized when the metal contaminants are low on the catalyst. This is because regeneration only burns off the carbon and sulphur from the catalyst. In cases where the metal contaminants are high metals recovery is a recommended due to the high prices for nickel and moly. Disposal is not recommended when companies are willing to pay for your spent catalyst in order to recover the metals. For regeneration Eurecat, Tricat and CRI are good companies. For metals recovery the following are good companies: Gulf Chemical and Metallurgical Company; Eurecat; Resource Chemical Company; Avida Americas and Moxba Metrex
15/10/2007 A: Randy Alexander, EURECAT, randy.alexander@eurecat.com
The typical first step is to send samples of the spent catalyst to a regeneration company for analysis. At Eurecat, we analyze 1-3 samples at no charge depending on the size of the spent lot.
After analysis, a full report will be sent back to you describing the contaminant metals on the catalyst as well as its other physical properties. This will include our recommendation on the regenerability of the spent catalyst. Many times the top 1/4-1/3 of the bed will be too contaminated for regeneration. However, the remainder of the bed will be very high quality and an excellent candidate for regeneration. Regeneration costs are much lower than the cost of purchasing fresh catalysts. We can also sell the catalyst for you after regeneration if you do not wish to use it in one of your hydrotreating units.
If the contaminant levels are too high, we will recommend that you send the catalyst for metals reclamation. Spent catalyst typically have a positive value these days due to the high prices for molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel.......