Maximum Conversion of Vacuum Residue to Naphtha and Diesel


The UOP Uniflex™MC™ process converts vacuum residue to maximize the production of clean distillates. The process has been proven on a commercial scale, with years of efficient and reliable operation providing robust economic returns. It can be readily integrated into existing refining facilities, and offers several significant advantages compared to alternative technologies:
Advanced Technology – 95-98% conversion rate, even for the poorest quality feeds. In fact, Uniflex prefers high sulfur residues and troublesome highly aromatic streams like FCC Cycle Oils.
Higher Yields – Achieves >85 vol% yield of naphtha and diesel, and with integrated hydrotreating options to upgrade these streams to reformer feed grade and Euro VI specifications respectively.
Simple Integration – The small amount of vacuum gas oil (VGO) produced in the process can typically be processed in an existing hydrocracker or FCC unit, reducing the level of new investment CAPEX required
Increased Margins – Uniflex MC converts low value High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO) components, which will be coming under increased price pressure with the advent of MARPOL regulations, to high value transportation fuels and petrochemical feedstock. The process is CAPEX efficient given UOP’s vast experience in process and equipment optimization.
The combination of high conversion, increased margin uplift and minimized CAPEX makes the Uniflex process an attractive, economical solution for both existing and new refineries / petrochemical complexes.
Supporting the UOP Uniflex MC process is UOP’s strength in:
- Research and Development– UOP’s state of the art Heavy Oil Development Center providing expanded capabilities in High-throughput Feed Preparation, Uniflex, Solvent De-asphalting. In addition, UOP research and analytical labs are capable of advanced characterization of feed and products.
- Engineering and Design – The Uniflex process is very similar to that of a conventional hydrocracking process, and UOP Engineering applies process and design optimization learnings from over 50 years of experience in this field.
- Technical Service and Support– UOP’s world class Technical Service department. In addition UOP employs key designers and operating staff from the commercial unit to provide technical guidance and assistance. UOP also has several key engineers and operators on contract who designed and operated the VCC unit at Bottrop in Germany.
- Configuration Studies – Due to the number of products produced by the Uniflex technology, integration with the existing or new complex is critical to extract full value from the technology. UOP is uniquely positioned to optimize a total project with a broad understanding of refining and configuration services.
Contact us for more information.