1 > What is Equiflow?

EquiFlowÔ is the commercial name for Axens' latest generation of reactor internals. They ensure optimal catalyst utilization and enable on-spec production with longer cycle lengths. This translates into reduced catalyst change out operations and overall better operational performance. EquiFlowÔ is a highly effective technology upgrade that can be installed in existing and new hydrotreating units.

Thirteen recently-licensed units now include EquiFlowÔ technology in their design.

2 > What is Catapac?

CatapacÔ is Axens' ultra-high density loading system.

Traditional methods for loading catalyst or adsorbents in a vessel involve things like "socks" or chutes, raking (leveling the bed) or just plain dumping. The CatapacÔ system breaks with the old ways and puts up to 25% more material in the same volume. This is like getting five vessels for the price of four, or, for existing installations, getting 25% better performance for a tiny fraction of the cost of new equipment.

Moreover, CatapacÔ performs the operation more gently, safely and quickly than conventional loading methods.

3 > What is Esterfip?

EsterfipÔ is Axens' technology for making biodiesel (Diester), the low-cost additive and substitute diesel fuel based on rapeseed oil. It is economic, ecological (no sulfur, no aromatics), and has a cetane number of 50. On line since 1992, Sofiproteol's Esterfip plant at Compiègne, France, has since tripled its capacity to 70 000 tpa.

4 > What is Liquefin?

LiquefinÔ is Axens' new process for Liquefaction of Natural Gas (LNG).

This process is designed to get the best use of large gas turbines and plate-fin heat exchangers. As compared to other competing technologies, this process provides an increased capacity and a reduced investment cost, while remaining simple and reliable. Very high capacities can be reached in one train, with a very low unit cost of LNG produced and space required.

This Natural Gas Liquefaction process has now reached a commercial stage and several pre-FEED studies are under way. The first EPC is expected in the coming months.

5 > What is Multibed?

MultibedÔ technology consists of combining various aluminas and zeolite molecular sieves in one or more vessels in order to benefit from, in addition to their respective functions, their synergy and complementarity. The techniques involved counteract several potential problems occurring in the adsorbers over an adsorbent’s lifetime.

The MultibedÔ technology can be applied to both liquid and gas hydrocarbon treatment. It is also used for dehydration and treatment of unsaturated effluents from steam crackers, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units and industrial gas plants.

6 > What is ParamaX?

ParamaXÔ is Axens' BTX Aromatics Technology Suite. The processes incorporated into Axens aromatics portfolio provides customers with a complete suite of advanced technologies, unmatched in performance and cost effectiveness for all BTX production goals. Together, they make an attractive first choice when selecting the full complement of BTX technologies and services from a single source.

If you need further information, please consult our Aromatics page.

7 > What is Texicap?

Fixed-bed radial-flow reactors are used when low pressure drop is critical to performance, such as in semiregenerative reforming units. Most fixed-bed radial reactor designs "waste" the top 15% or so of the catalyst bed.

TexicapÔ, a flexible flowguide that moulds to the shape of the top of the bed, regardless of the amount of the settling, may replace the conventional metal shroud assembly. When doing this, there is no further need to have dead space and the formerly dormant catalyst section can now go to work.

8 > Toll Manufacturing