Meeting Program — March 2017
Manuela Serban
Principal Research Scientist,
Honeywell UOP
Abstract — With significant experience in Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR) reforming technology, i.e., Platforming™ process, Honeywell’s UOP was uniquely positioned to invent, develop and commercialize 25 years ago, a CCR-type light paraffins dehydrogenation technology, i.e., Oleflex™ process, leveraging on the Platforming technology. These two technologies represent two of UOP’s core technologies and together with their catalysts, are being continuously improved and optimized to maximize end-user profitability. Currently there are 300+ CCR Platforming units and 25+ Oleflex units operating worldwide, with more in construction or in commission. This presentation will highlight similarities and differences between the Platforming and Oleflex technologies and catalysts. We will discuss the chemical and physical requirements and properties for the two types of catalysts, the main catalysts deactivation routes, and highlight some of UOP’s characterization tools and expertise used to develop new reforming and dehydrogenation catalysts and diagnose different symptoms related to aged commercial catalysts.
Biography — Manuela Serban is a Principal Research Scientist in the Olefins and Detergents Development Group leading teams responsible for the development of new Oleflex catalyst generations. Manuela has over 12 years of experience with UOP, including reforming technology and catalysts, catalytic hydrodesulfurization, flue gas desulfurization for coal gasification plants, breakthrough liquid fuels decontamination techniques. She is the author of several articles in peer reviewed Chemical Engineering journals and has 38 US patents. She has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and post-doctoral experience at Argonne National Laboratory.