Hydrotreating

Advanced process and catalyst systems to help optimise unit performance and maximise cycle length

Shell Global Solutions

Hydrotreating is an established refinery process for

reducing sulphur, nitrogen and aromatics while
enhancing cetane number, density and smoke point.
The refining industry’s efforts to meet the global trend
for more-stringent clean fuels specifications, the
growing demand for transportation fuels and the shift
toward diesel mean that hydrotreating has become an
increasingly important refinery process in recent years.

Shell Global Solutions’ hydrotreating process combines

advanced process technology, high-performance
catalyst systems and efficient reactor internal designs.
This technology has helped many refiners to rise to the
clean fuels challenges facing their businesses;
operators around the world have licensed new units for
their grass-roots facilities. In addition, we apply new
catalyst and reactor internals technology to revamp
existing units, including upgrading for more complex
duties such as dewaxing.
AT A GLANCE
Customer driver: Optimised production and efficiency, About the technology
reliability and availability, technical and project performance, Drawing on the Shell Group’s (“Shell”) corporate
changing feedstock slate (heavy, sour, high TAN, syn crudes), heritage as the owner and operator of refining
changing fuel specifications facilities, Shell Global Solutions’ technology is
designed to operate reliably and efficiently, and to
Solution: Advanced hydrotreating processes developed
help maximise the return on investment throughout the
through ongoing R&D effort and operational feedback,
coupled with catalysts from Shell’s catalyst business, life cycle of a unit. Our hydrotreating units incorporate
Criterion Catalysts & Technologies Shell’s wide experience base as one of the largest
operators of hydrotreating capacity in the world –
Value delivered: Technology to help refiners reduce
Shell’s hydrotreating capacity represents 8% of the
sulphur, nitrogen and aromatics while enhancing cetane
world’s capacity.
number, density and smoke point
Proof point: More than 180 hydrotreater units designed We have experience of a wide range of feedstocks and
and serviced boiling ranges, including straight-run and cracked
feedstocks, such as from fluidised catalytic cracking
(FCC), thermal conversion and coking, and boiling ranges
Hydrotreating technology is based from naphtha to FCC feedstocks.
on extensive R&D in catalysts and We also have experience of helping refiners whose winter
processes over many decades, diesel has suboptimal cold-flow properties. In the past,
this was addressed by kerosene blending or end-point
combined with lessons learned reduction, which reduced the value or size of the
from operational experience. refinery’s middle distillate pool. Shell’s distillate dewaxing
catalyst can help to improve the diesel’s cloud point in a
variety of process configurations.
 pRoof poINTs
Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)
KNPC has selected deep HDS technology from
Shell Global Solutions for a new refinery complex
in Kuwait. This will produce ultra-low-sulphur diesel
(<10 ppm) that meets the cold-flow properties
required by stringent European Union environmental
legislation. The 180,000-bbl/d HDS unit will include
our dewaxing catalyst technology.
Performance improvement
compared with industry average Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
Mechanical availability 1–5% IOCL has selected Shell Global Solutions’ deep HDS
On-stream factor 1–3% technology for a new refinery and petrochemical
complex in Paradip, India. Our technology will enable
Utilisation 5%
the refinery to use low-quality feedstock components
Turnaround duration 5–15 days (light cycle oil) to produce diesel fuels that meet
Source: 2006 benchmarking data. stringent diesel specifications. The capacity of the
new deep HDS complex will be 120,000 bbl/d.
Table 1: The performance of Shell Global Solutions’ licensed and serviced
units reflects Shell’s focus on the key factors that deliver long-term
operational excellence and production optimisation.

Process description
In Shell Global Solutions’ hydrotreating process, oil HAvE yOu CONsidErEd HOw yOu CAN
fractions are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a n promote the reliability of your unit?
catalyst to produce high-value clean products. The n cost-effectively meet distillate fuel specifications?
operating conditions will depend on the final application.
n upgrade heavier and more difficult feedstocks?
For instance, temperatures could range between 350 and
390°C, and pressures between 60 and 90 barg for the
production of ultra-low-sulphur diesel (<10 ppm). Several
process configurations are available.

The heart of our hydrotreating process is the reactor

section, which features a high-pressure reactor vessel
and proprietary catalyst and reactor internals
technology. The process configuration is optimised for
each application to suit operating requirements and
customer-specific project economics.

Performance data
From industry studies covering unit performance from 1998
to 2006, a comparison of Shell hydrodesulphurisation
(HDS) units with the average industry performance shows
clear and sustained advantages (Table 1).

Business value
Conventional trickle phase units for distillate HDS are based Shell Global Solutions is a network of independent technology companies in the Shell Group. In this
material, the expressions “the Shell Group,” “Shell” and “Shell Global Solutions” are sometimes used
on the two- or four-separator design concept. Shell’s designs for convenience where reference is made to these companies in general, or where no useful purpose is
served by identifying a particular company.
have improved heat integration, which can help to reduce The information contained in this material is intended to be general in nature and must not be relied on

energy costs. Industry benchmarking has confirmed that the as specific advice in connection with any decisions you may make. Shell Global Solutions is not liable
for any action you may take as a result of you relying on such material or for any loss or damage
charge heaters in Shell’s ultra-low-sulphur-diesel units have suffered by you as a result of you taking this action. Furthermore, these materials do not in any way
constitute an offer to provide specific services. Some services may not be available in certain countries
up to 25°C lower temperature differentials across them, or political subdivisions thereof.
Copyright © 2010 Shell Global Solutions International BV. All rights reserved. No part of this
which is a direct measurement of energy efficiency. publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical

Moreover, Shell’s designs have helped to reduce the total including by photocopy, recording or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in
writing from Shell Global Solutions International BV.
equipment count and the capital and operating costs. GS30121109 En(B)

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