Hydrotreating Technology

Advanced Process Technology and High-Performance Catalysts

Our hydrotreating technology is based on extensive research and design in catalysts and processes over many decades, combined with lessons learned from our affiliates’ operational experience.

In Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ hydrotreating process, oil fractions are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce high-value clean products. The operating conditions will depend on the final application.

The heart of our hydrotreating process is the reactor section, which features a high-pressure reactor vessel and state-of-the-art catalyst and reactor internals technology. The process configuration is tailored and optimised for each application to suit operating requirements and customer-specific project economics, which provides clear and sustained advantages.

Past experience supports the potential for better mechanical availability, on-stream factor, and utilisation. The turnaround duration can be reduced by as much as 8-16 days.

Conventional trickle phase units for distillate hydrodesulphurisation units are based on the two- or four-separator design concept. Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ designs have improved heat integration, which can help to reduce energy costs. Charge heaters in Shell ultra-low-sulphur-diesel units have up to 25°C lower temperature differentials across them, which is a direct measurement of energy efficiency. Moreover, Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ designs have helped to reduce the total equipment count and the capital and operating costs.