Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
from the site
[326]
. Otherwise, refiner has to go through lengthy administrative procedures to
retain spent catalyst on the site beyond the deadline.
5.1.5 Cradle to Grave Approach to Spent Catalyst Management
There are several experienced and certified companies that offer a reclamation solution to
generators of spent catalyst wastes at the time of the fresh catalyst procurement. They provide
a “cradles to grave” approach for catalyst management, including loading, unloading,
transport, regeneration, recycling, and disposal of spent catalysts. For example, CRI
International Inc., in association with a group of affiliated companies, such as Criterion
Catalyst Company, Catalyst Recovery Group, Catalyst Technology, Inc., and CRI-MET,
provide all catalyst related services to refiners under one roof
[327,328]
. A similar consortium,
including Albemarle, EURECAT, ACI Industries Inc. (Belgium), and London Chemicals &
Resources Ltd (UK), also provides similar TCM services. The main benefits of the total
integrated catalyst management system to refiners are:
(1) Reduced unit down time during catalyst change out in refinery.
(2) Deciding on regeneration/disposal options after utilization cycle may involve a team of
personal experienced in handling spent catalysts and in regulatory affairs.
(3) Relief from transportation issues related to shipment of spent catalyst to a recycling
facility.
(4) Relief from safety and environmental issues related to spent catalyst handling and disposal.
The strategy for TCM provided by Albermarle Catalysts was recently presented by Eijsbouts
et al.
[308,329]
. It includes cooperating companies, such as Universal Oil Products (UOP)
(hydroprocessing), EURECAT (presulfiding and regeneration), and Petroval (transportation).
If necessary, companies with the additional services and expertise can be added to the
consortium. This also includes personal with experience in regulatory affairs.
Figure 5.3 [329]
gives a detailed account of services provided by the TCM consortium. It is evident that the
TCM group can play an advisory role and provide services during all stages of catalyst
utilization, since fresh catalyst enters petroleum refinery. They participate in the final
decisions, i.e., when further catalyst recycling is not feasible and metal reclamation or disposal
remains the only option.
5.2 Hazardous Characteristics of Spent Hydroprocessing Catalysts
According to EPA, a hazardous waste is defined as one posing a substantial or potential hazard
to human health and environment if mishandled. There are two basic criteria that are used to
identify hazardous solids, i.e.:
