Crossing Frontiers in the Performance and Economic Return of ULSD Units

摘要

Optimal catalyst selection and catalyst configuration for ULSD units is determined fromrnmultiple drivers, but economic analysis favors fill cost in relation to projected returns. Researchrnwork by Albemarle has resulted in novel developments which embody considerable activity creditsrnthat can be exploited for economic returns in terms of longer cycle length, increased LCOrnintake and processing higher nitrogen feeds. In our R&D work we found that striking the rightrnbalance in the catalyst formulation between the different types of active sites (hydrogenolysis,rnhydrogenation) is crucial to achieving the optimum balance of activity and stability.rnUnsurprisingly, no single catalyst formulation is able to deliver optimum performancernacross the wide variety of feeds and process conditions used in ULSD service. By necessity, arnseries of catalysts, each having its optimal application window, are able to deliver the best balancernof superior activity and stable operation. Even within the ULSD unit itself, process conditionsrnvary and, by building on the concept of reaction zones, combinations of catalysts may bernapplied to further optimize the performance or fill cost of a specific ULSD unit. The overall designrnshould be such that it incorporates solid performance when processing opportunity crudes.rnA structured approach to generating economic returns from ULSD units will be proposed.rnA complete toolkit of options for catalyst system design will be explored to achieve thernproper balance between fill cost, performance and economic returns.