We are delighted to launch Eco-Hydrodrilling, the new name for our ARDS (Atmospheric Residue De-Sulphurisation) catalyst unloading technology. Eco-Hydrodrilling, formerly known as Advanced Wet Dumping, is a process that combines drilling with high-pressure water jetting to unload heavily fused catalysts faster, safer, and more sustainably than all other methods.
The new name, Eco-Hydrodrilling, represents the ecological benefits of the solution and conveys the critical role high-pressure water drilling plays in the process, as the water is treated and recycled in a closed-loop system for future use, substantially saving water use compared to other techniques.
Due to the efficiency and effectiveness of Eco-Hydrodrilling, catalyst replacement schedules are significantly reduced, allowing the change-out duration to be guaranteed and generating significant returns for operators.
CR3 has recently completed an ARDS catalyst change-out on four reactors at a refinery complex in Pengerang, Malaysia. The project is part of a long-term contract with the refinery operator that also sees CR3 undertaking the entire management and disposal of the spent catalyst.
The change-out of the four reactors was carried out using CR3’s unique Eco-Hydrodrilling technology; this was the first time the technology had been used in Malaysia. Eco-Hydrodrilling combines drilling with high-pressure water jetting to unload heavily fused catalysts and is a safer and faster alternative to traditional methods.
This sustainable solution also uses substantially less water than other techniques as it treats and recycles the water in a proprietary closed-loop system. Due to the efficiency and effectiveness of Eco-Hydrodrilling, catalyst replacement schedules are significantly reduced, allowing the change-out duration to be guaranteed and generating significant returns for operators.
Catalyst handling technicians and other skilled personnel from CR3 worked in conjunction with the client to execute the change-outs within the expected schedule. CR3 will perform several more catalyst change-outs for the refinery in the coming year.