Hydrocarbon Processing - December 2021 - 30

Catalysts
FIG. 4. Catalyst particle showing phosphorus
penetrating into the pore system of the
renewable hydrotreating catalystb
.
(and in some cases even six times) higher
phosphorus pick-up. The first load
to include the proprietary catalystb
was
FIG. 3. Phosphorus profile from first-generation phosphorous traps.
installed in 2020 and has subsequently
been installed in a handful of units, performing
well in all instances. The main
advantages are that it:
* Prevents phosphorus slip
to the bulk catalyst
* Inhibits pressure drop build from
phosphorus crust formation
* Ensures longer catalyst cycle
length, improving unit profitability
and catalyst value ratio.
Takeaway. As always, getting the best
value from a grading and catalyst system
is two-fold: the technology itself;
and (just as, if not more important) the
technical expertise needed to deliver the
most value. The proprietary catalystb
will
FIG. 5. Phosphorus profile of renewable hydrotreating catalystb
Original improvement of existing
products gave better phosphorus uptake
and penetration but did not completely
solve the fundamental issue of phosphorus
covering the surface (FIG. 3).
Using this fundamental understanding
of both the crust formation mechanism
and the nature of the phosphoruscontaining
molecules, plus applying
knowledge of catalyst design and manufacturing,
led to the development of the
renewable hydrotreating catalystb
developed
for fixed-bed HDO service applied
as a guard in diesel and jet hydrotreating
30 DECEMBER 2021 | HydrocarbonProcessing.com
.
units processing renewable feedstocks.
The large-pore catalyst with a unique
pore system is designed to maximize
phosphorus pick-up from renewable
feedstocks and is characterized by high
capacity and low HDO activity.
It exhibits full penetration into the
pore system (FIG. 4). Additionally, the
profile shows much higher levels of phosphorus
pick-up in the center of the particle
and higher overall area under the
curve, which translates to overall higher
capacity (FIG. 5).
This translates to three to four times
help extend the life of hydroprocessing
catalysts in a standalone or co-processing
renewable fuels unit. Chemistry is behind
almost any product or fuel that defines the
way we live today, and it will be just as important
in shaping the future. Reducing
carbon emissions of fossil fuels together
with production of renewable fuels will
be part of the future energy transition.
NOTES
a Haldor Topsoe's HydroFlex unit
b
Haldor Topsoe's TK-3000 PhosTrap™ (patent
pending)
SERGIO A. ROBLEDO is a Senior Account Manager,
Clean Fuels, for Haldor Topsoe Inc. He provides
expert technical advice to clients relating to the
selection, use and operation of catalysts and
technologies. He is also responsible for developing
refinery business opportunities to acquire new
accounts and maintain existing ones. Mr. Robledo
holds a BE degree from Stevens Institute of
Technology and has more than 20 yr of experience
in the hydrocarbon processing industry. The author
can be reached at SRO@topsoe.com.
http://www.HydrocarbonProcessing.com
Hydrocarbon Processing - December 2021

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