AM-04-55 Offsetting the Cost of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel

Description:

Significantly higher hydroprocessing severity will be required to produce the sulfur free (<10 ppm) diesel fuel required in 2006 and beyond. A second reactor in a hydrotreater train can produce ULSD but it can also increase the volume and cetane of the product produced. In addition, partial conversion of the product to naphtha is possible further increasing the volume swell and the diesel cetane. All of these features provide additional revenue to offset the cost of a new unit. If some form of investment in new units is required, the best economic solution is usually to simultaneously improve the quality of product and increase yields from that investment. Latest generation base metal catalysts make a two reactor approach even more attractive. Akzo Nobel/Nippon Ketjen’s STARS™ technology and NEBULA™ technology, a joint development of Akzo Nobel Catalysts and ExxonMobil, have the highest activity for this service.