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Zurich, Switzerland, February 12, 2001 - Refiners are facing a major challenge. They are under pressure to manufacture cleaner diesel in response to the environmental taxes that many governments are levying. At the same time, low profit margins are forcing them to process the cheapest and most contaminant-laden crudes. What to do?
ABB has formed a joint venture with Chevron to exploit and license a Chevron technology that holds the key to cleaner fuels. The technology is a form of hydrocracking called
Isocracking.
Isocracking has several advantages, both for the environment and for refiners. It produces high quality diesel low on harmful aromatics and sulfur, and enables refiners to produce valuable diesel, gasoline and jet fuel from what would otherwise be unsuitable heavy oils.
ABB expertise in catalysis helps make this possible. Cleverer catalysts are now being designed to meet the requirements of individual refiners in everything from gasoline to distillates.
One such project, at a refinery near the Taj Mahal in India, is designed to prevent pollution from destroying the marble of the famous monument. Others are likely to be particularly sought-after in Europe, where the demand for low-sulfur diesel is especially high.
For more information, please refer to the ABB Group Annual Report 2000, Technology
Report.
ABB Corporate Communications, Zurich
Thomas Schmidt
Tel: +41 1 317 7354
Fax: +41 1 317 7958 thomas.schmidt@ch.abb.com