Refiners are accepting "challenge" feedstocks as part of their crude slates to improve margins. Such crude oils may have a lower cost, but require more processing to yield end products. Challenging Canadian feedstocks are lower in API and contain high levels of filterable solids, unstable asphaltenes or difficult-to-remove chloride salts. These feeds are especially problematic to desalter operations. Several case histories discuss operating practices that can be used to improve the processing of challenge crudes.
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