News with Bechtel

hte was chosen by Bechtel for processing refinery waxes to make white petroleum waxes

HEIDELBERG [November 30, 2020]

hte – the high throughput experimentation company has been selected by Bechtel, a global engineering, construction, and project management company, to produce white petroleum waxes from refinery waxes in hte’s R&D pilot plant. These highly valuable products are needed in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industry. The aim of the study was to investigate optimal conditions for producing the white waxes, and to support the engineering process for a refinery end customer.

Bechtel selected hte for testing feedstocks derived from lubricating base oil processing in a parallel 4-fold bench scale system under industrially relevant operating conditions. The hte bench scale system allows for maximum operational flexibility of each reactor and for producing larger amounts of the final products in the range of several liters each. In addition to catalyst activity and selectivity, the correct treatment of the samples and their corresponding complex analysis was of great importance.

Comment Bechtel: “Bechtel chose hte to perform the R&D laboratory tests after visiting their laboratory and recognizing it had the capabilities needed to perform the rigorous hydroprocessing tests required in terms of pilot plant equipment, analytical testing and quality of technical staff. Bechtel appreciated that after selecting hte they were able to deliver.”

Wolfram Stichert, CEO at hte, comments, “We are delighted to have been selected by Bechtel for these challenging catalyst testing and process optimization studies regarding the production of white waxes. We are pleased to have another satisfied client in our portfolio and look forward to strengthening our collaboration with Bechtel in future R&D projects.” 

4-fold reactor R0083 for trickle-bed applications by hte
Figure 1: 4-fold bench scale system

About hte
At hte – the high throughput experimentation company, we make R&D in the area of catalysis faster and more productive. We enable cost-effective innovations and reduced time to market for new products, thereby allowing our customers in the energy & refining, chemical & petrochemical, and environmental industries to keep ahead of the competition.  

Our technology and services comprise

  • R&D Solutions: highly efficient contract research programs at hte’s state-of-the-art laboratories in Heidelberg, Germany
  • Technology Solutions: integrated hardware and software solutions, enabling our customers to establish high throughput workflows in their own laboratories.

Our customers benefit from broad technical and scientific expertise, exceptional customer orientation, complete end-to-end solutions, and outstanding data quality. Our close ties with BASF guarantee long-term orientation and stability.

    Contact for Press
    hte GmbH
    Jacqueline Stalica
    Kurpfalzring 104, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany
    T: +49 (0) 6221 - 74 97 - 290
    F: +49 (0) 6221 - 74 97 - 137
    jacqueline.stalicahte-company.de

    Contact for Business Development
    hte GmbH
    Dr. Robert Henkel
    Kurpfalzring 104, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany
    T: +49 (0) 6221 - 74 97 - 416
    F: +49 (0) 6221 - 74 97 - 137
    robert.henkelhte-company.de