Technical Progress and Profits

In 1938-1940 the principles underlying continuous catalytic cracking were established. Since then, Fluid Catalytic Cracking has come to occupy a dominant role in petroleum refining. This history of FCC covers the entire 60-year history to today, commemorating the scientific, engineering and economic advances that have been secured by the industry and its suppliers. This book investigates the sources of innovation and the host of subsequent improvements, revealing the costs and benefits and continuous nature of technological change and increasing efficiency.

Contents

1. The Fluid Catalytic Cracking Innovation, 1938 to 1942
2. Process Design and Construction, 1942 to mid 1950s
3. Era of Extensive R&D, mid-1950s to mid-1960s
4. The Introduction of Zeolites, 1961 to 1966
5. The Cracking of Heavy Oil, 1967 to 1987
6. Conforming to Environmental Regulations, 1988 to 2000
7. Changes in Technology and in Rates of Technical Advance
8. Product Yields, Revenues and Costs
9. The Source of Improvements
10. Improvements and Progress
11. Improvements and Profits
12. Conclusions