6 replies to this topic

[panoskagiou]

Hello everyone,

I would like to ask you if you could share with me commercial applications for hydrodesulfurization of heavy residue? 

 

Thank you in advance

[rdcrags]

Are you looking for a list of operating units or a discussion comparing the application to a middle distillate application, for example?

[colt16]

By 2020, the IMO has regulated that sulfur content used as bunker fuel must be 0.5wt% S so there is the commercial application issue resolved I would think. 

[panoskagiou]

My question is mostly how we can treat the heavy residue after the vacuum distillation. My question is if you belive if with a hydrotreater and simple hydrodesulfurization is possible to achieve these specifications? Because in the ehavy residue this refractory sulfur components are difficult to be treated.

Also if a combination of hydrodesulfurization and hydrocracking units are a better choice to meet the specifications in bunker fuels?

Thank you in advance!

[gegio1960]

Basically you can count on the following main hydrogen addition technologies, already applied to Vacuum Residues:

- LC-Fining, from CLG (Chevron Lummus Glabal)

- H-Oil, from Axens

- EST (ENI Slurry Technology), from ENI Technologies

All of them provide Hydrocracking other than Hydrodesulfurization.

They can also be applied after a Solvent Deasphalting of the Vacuum Residue that would reduce the capacity/cost.

You can easily imagine the very high CAPEX and OPEX required for this kind of plants.

good luck!

[panoskagiou]

All these methods are used for hydrocracking, however the presence of sulfur in these streams do not affect the catalysts that used in hydrocracking reactors?

For example ENI technology is a technology, which can provide simultaneously sulfur reduction and hydrocracking by using dispersed catalysts or it is required a step before the hydrocracking in which the sulfur will be reduced?

Thank you in advance!

[gegio1960]

(Some) details ot the various technologies are published: please kindly refer to them directly in order to avoid biased info.

But, generally speaking, there are steps of HDS (and HDN) before, after and concurrently with the HCK. Otherwise, it would be impossible the deep reduction of Sulfur in the liquid products with respect to the feed....