Norton Engineering

Norton Engineering’s highly experienced FCC process, environmental and equipment specialists assist clients in deciding the best technology for their individual FCC emissions control needs and seeing that they get it at the lowest cost. Our engineers have many years of practical experience in FCC emissions control dating back to 1970. They have developed and evaluated emissions control technologies; designed, operated and optimized numerous systems. Our engineers are among the world’s most highly regarded experts in the FCCU emissions control field.

SOx Control

• Norton engineers developed and modernized technologies for control of sulfur oxide emissions from FCC’s including both wet and dry scrubbing systems.
• Norton Engineering provides technical support for users/owners of wet scrubbing systems offered by Hamon (ExxonMobil WGS), Belco (EDV) and MECS (Monsanto). We have an intimate knowledge of the scrubber chemistry and performance which our clients rely on to optimize performance and reduce operating costs.
• Norton engineers provide turnaround support for these systems including, pre-turnaround assessments, T/A planning, design modifications and condition assessment.
• Norton Engineering assisted clients with caustic (NaOH) minimization efforts and with identification of suitable alternate water supplies for the scrubber.
• Norton Engineering developed designs for three recent low cost wet scrubber expansions and several low-cost performance upgrades.

Particulate Control

• Norton’s engineers have developed and modernized technologies for control of particulate emissions from FCC’s including both wet and dry removal systems (Wet Gas Scrubbers, Electrostatic Precipitators & Bag Houses).
• Norton’s engineers worked with clients and vendors in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (California) to develop ESP design criteria to allow this equipment to meet the most stringent performance standards in the world.
• Norton’s engineers have been leaders in the development of flue gas treatment technologies to reduce sulfur trioxide (SO3) emissions using ESPs.
• Norton Engineering has designed numerous ESPs for the world’s largest independent oil company for FCC and Fluid Coker applications.
• Norton Engineering has assisted clients in improving ESP performance through design modifications and flue gas conditioning.

NOx Control

• Norton’s engineers have been designing and troubleshooting NOx control systems, equipment and technologies since the late 1970’s including: Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR), Enhanced Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (ESNCR), FCC Catalyst Additives, FCC Regenerator Design Enhancements, and Wet Gas Scrubbing Plus (WGS+®).
• Norton Engineering has completed technology evaluations for FCC NOx control for US and Canadian refining clients covering over 10 different FCC units.
• Norton Engineering typically provides technical support to clients and their Prime Contractor as owner’s engineer during detailed design, construction and through initial start-up.

Ancillary Facilities

• Norton Engineering specializes in all regenerator flue gas equipment and systems including: third and fourth stage separators, expanders, orifice chambers, pressure let down valves and stations, CO boilers and heaters, and flue gas ducting and components.
• In recent years we have successfully upgraded CO boilers to allow them to operate higher back pressures imposed by downstream pollution control equipment. In one case we were able to save a client $150,000,000 by reconditioning existing boilers instead of replacing them.
• Norton Engineering designed modifications to FCC flue gas waste heat recovery systems to reduce heat pick-up and to increase flue gas side pressure capability at minimum cost in support of a client’s SCR project. Our designs were implemented within the turnaround, early and below budget.
• Norton’s engineers can evaluate your regenerator flue gas circuit to determine what has to be done to accommodate an emissions control project, and where necessary develop the lowest cost strategies and designs which will allow you to minimize overall emissions control project capital and operating costs.
• Norton’s specialists are experienced water and waste water treatment facilities with intimate knowledge handling purge flows from wet scrubbing systems. They have assisted many of our clients in ensuring that an air pollution problem doesn’t inadvertently get turned into a water treatment problem.

Regulatory Support

• Norton’s engineers routinely assist clients with permitting, development of alternative monitoring plans, unit assessments, emissions estimates and stack testing evaluations.
• We support clients’ interactions with federal and state regulators including: consent decree negotiations, technical support for commenting on new regulations or regulator requested permit modifications/additions.
• We provided consulting assistance to the Western States Petroleum Association (WESPA) on particulate and SOX control.
• Norton Engineering provided expert assistance to SCAQMD to review and update estimated costs of proposed regulations on seven refiners (15+ units), a glass manufacturer, two sulfuric acid manufacturers, a coke calciner and a cement manufacturer.

Contact Norton Engineering today to find out how the breadth and depth of our engineers’ experience can be leveraged to optimize your FCC emissions control project, optimize emissions control systems operation and reduce operating costs.