Porocel Corporation

Porocel is a well-known company with a long history. Originally established in 1937 as a joint venture between Atlantic Richfield and Standard Oil of New Jersey, Porocel was later acquired by the Attapulgus Clay Co., which was, in turn, acquired by Engelhard in 1967. In 1996, Porocel was purchased from Engelhard by a group of independent investors. Up until the time of its purchase from Engelhard, Porocel’s primary business was the production of activated bauxites for various refining applications. Beginning in 1996, the new ownership undertook an aggressive program of new capital investment, resulting in state-of-the-art facilities for the manufacture of activated aluminas and related adsorbents. Included in that capital investment were facilities designed specifically to enhance Porocel’s capabilities for toll processing.

Activated Aluminas

Porocel currently manufactures a full line of activated alumina products for virtually every established industrial application for the materials. Since the commissioning of Porocel’s first activated alumina production line in early 1998, aggressive development efforts have continued to result in new products, patents, and improvements in product performance.

Product excellence, combined with Porocel’s dedication to outstanding customer service and its unparalleled, comprehensive technical support, has made Porocel a major force in activated aluminas world-wide.

Included in today’s product line are specific products for these most common industrial processes:

• Claus-based Sulphur Recovery
• HF Alkylation
• Chloride Scavenging
• Air Dehydration
• Vapor and Liquid Phase Hydrocarbon Dehydration
• COS, H₂S and CO₂ Adsorption
• COS Hydrolysis
• Hydrogen Peroxide Production
• Polyethylene Manufacturing
• Monomer Purification
• Fixed Bed Supports
• Air Purification Media
• Catalyst Substrates
  

Bed Supports

Porocel offers a complete line of bed supports, both active and inert, for every need. Our inert bed supports include ceramic spheres and medallions, high alumina spheres, and tabular alumina spheres. Large diameter activated alumina spheres suitable for impregnation in the manufacture of catalytically active bed supports are also available.

Catalyst Services

On October 7, 2004, Porocel’s owners purchased the catalyst services businesses and assets formerly held by CRI affiliated companies in Lafayette, Louisiana USA (CRLA), Singapore (CRS) and Luxembourg (CRE). CRLA was the first company in the US to offer ex-situ regeneration in the mid-1970’s with its moving belt regenerator. In the mid-nineties, CRE pioneered ex-situ pre-sulphurization with its unique actiCAT^® process. More recently CRLA has introduced optiCAT Plus^® regeneration for catalysts with high hydrocarbon loadings, and density grading of CCR catalysts. Porocel performs catalyst regeneration, pre-sulfurization, length grading, and density grading services at all 3 sites.

• Our state-of-the-art optiCAT Plus^® and unique moving belt processes combine to offer our customers an exceptionally gentle regeneration with outstanding temperature control, thereby ensuring minimal damage to the catalyst.
  
  
• Porocel maintains an extensive inventory of high quality regenerated Catalysts for Resale. Resale catalysts typically offer excellent activity at less than half the price of equivalent fresh catalysts.
  
  
• Our proprietary actiCAT^®Presulphurization process effectively presulphides hydroprocessing catalysts and results in minimal exotherm during startup.
  
  
• Density Grading can often save refiners with CCR reformers significant cost by allowing the reuse of non-heel catalyst from material unloaded before end-of-life. The process separates heel catalyst from active, lighter circulating catalyst.

Toll Processing

Porocel also offers a comprehensive array of toll processing services at our plant in Little Rock, AR (US), including:

• Calcination
• Drying
• Forming
• Impregnation
• Size Reduction
• Classification

Other Products & Services

Porocel offers Sulphur Recovery Unit (SRU) simulations, as well as comprehensive design services for most adsorption applications. Whether straightforward activated alumina adsorption designs or more complex mixed-bed designs, Porocel has the expertise to provide efficient, reliable adsorption design options. When a design calls for the use of products other than, or in conjunction with, activated alumina, Porocel has the capability to specify the appropriate alternatives and/or complements, whether molecular sieves, silica gels or activated carbons.