Founded in 1998, the research centre at San Filippo del Mela specialises in chemical and physical analysis for the world of refining, concentrating in particular on petroleum products and catalysts. To carry out its studies for the industry as best it can, it has seven laboratories and twelve pilot plants, in which researchers and technicians work in constant synergy. The Laboratory, as the cluster of seven specialist laboratories is known, has been accredited by Accredia since 2007, as laboratory no. 1044, office E. Overall, we carry out 6,000 studies a year here. Specifically, the Laboratory has accredited tests for emission trading for refineries owned by the Group. It later did so for analysis requested for experiments with pilot plants.
The added value of the research carried out at San Filippo del Mela comes from its testing of the industrial applications of the analyses done at the Laboratory, on site at a series of pilot plants constantly active at the research centre.
The pilot plants we use for experiments are as follows:
Fixed-bed: where we constantly study the reactions and processes of hydrogenation in all their forms. The data we get provides useful information on managing and optimising industrial plants at our refineries.
Ebullated-bed: where we convert the heavy portion of petroleum into lighter distillates.
Hydrocracking: where we produce middle distillates, like kerosene and diesel, through high conversion.
Microreactor: the unit where we test catalysts on fixed-bed hydroconversion reactors.
Coking: where we study how to optimise the process at the coking industrial unit.
FCC: where we screen catalysts and study the reactivity of loads.
Visbreaking: where we study the correlation between load composition, fuel stability and the stability of bitumen from visbreaking, as well as studying the solvents that provide hydrogen.
Cyclic propylene steaming: designed to deactivate 5 kg for batches of fresh catalysts for catalytic cracking.
Residue distillation: the unit we use to prepare loads for pilot plants.
EST pilot plant: divided into sections for load, reaction, vacuum distillation, storage and services.
SCT-CPO: where we produce syngas and/or hydrogen using short contact time and catalytic partial oxidation technology.
To support the experiments at our pilot plants as best we can, we have equipped the Laboratory at San Filippo del Mela with cutting-edge analysis tools that can provide valuable information quickly. This allows our researchers to test with precision the properties of products and catalysts, the dynamics of every phase of production cycles, and the characteristics of outgoing loads. All this information is then sent to technicians and engineers in the field, so they can reshape their processing. So, there is a communication flow between the plants and the Laboratory. Thanks to this two-way communication, we can refine our production processes to be more efficient and sustainable.
The main techniques at the research centre are of chemical and physical analysis of solid materials, especially catalysts, using microscopes, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, porosimetry and checking finding the limits to the mechanical resistance of samples. That is not all. We also distil crude oil and do chromatographic an elementary analysis of gas, increasingly using specific methods for the systems we study.
This website uses cookies to show you adverts and offer you services customised according to the preferences you have shown while browsing online. For further information please refer to our cookie policy.
THIS WEBSITE (AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN) DOES NOT CONTAIN OR CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE SECURITIES OR IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF ANY U.S. PERSON AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT (A "U.S. PERSON"), AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR OTHERWISE BE UNLAWFUL (THE "OTHER COUNTRIES"). THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO THE CORRESPONDING REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR THE “OTHER COUNTRIES” AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUCH SECURITIES IS INTENDED TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR IN THE “OTHER COUNTRIES.”
In any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"), the information contained in this website is only directed at and may only be communicated to persons who are "qualified investors" ("Qualified Investors") within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation").
The information to which this website gives access is directed only at persons (i) who are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is only available to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons, or in the EEA, with Qualified Investors. Any person who is not a relevant person, a Qualified Investor or otherwise permitted under applicable law or regulation to access the information, should not act or rely on the information contained herein.
Confirmation of Understanding and Acceptance of Disclaimer
These materials are for informational purposes only and are not directed to, nor are they intended for, access by persons located or resident in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries. I certify that:
I am not resident of, or located in, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries or I am not a U.S. Person; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the EEA, I am a Qualified Investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the United Kingdom, I am a Qualified Investor and a relevant person.
I have read and understood the disclaimer set out above. I understand that it may affect my rights. I agree to be bound by its terms and I am permitted under applicable law and regulations to proceed to the following parts of this website.
WARNING: the above certification constitutes a "self-certification" pursuant to Decree of the President of the Italian Republic No. 445 of 28 December 2000. False certifications are punishable by law.
