why is sulfiding of naphtha hydrotreater (NHT) catalyst necessary after ca... http://www.eptq.com/qandaquestion.aspx?q=4f175631-2406-46ba-847b-...

Home Q and A Articles Events Magazines Contact Us my ePTQ.com Advertisers PTQ-WRA partnership

Q & A > Question Details

Sponsored By:

why is sulfiding of naphtha hydrotreater (NHT) catalyst necessary Hydroprocessing

after carbon burning (regeneration) before normalization of NHT
operation, when the main purpose of the catalyst itself is removal
of sulfur from sour naphtha? Browse our
refining and
petrochemical
Answers technology
Q&A

02/04/2010 A: Balasubramanian Iyer, Nexen CNOOC Limited, balasubramanian.n@aol.in

Sulphiding of The Hydro Treating Catalysts helps in enhancing the Activity of the PTQ is excited
Catalyst for the process for Desulphurisation compared to that of the Metal Catalysts to be
in its Oxide State. In this process the metal oxides are converted to Metal Sulphides. Strategic
Partner of
05/03/2010 A: Randy Alexander, EURECAT, randy.alexander@eurecat.com ERTC: Ask the
The metals contained on hydrotreating catalysts are typically Molybdenum with Experts
either Nickel or Cobalt as a promoter. As discussed, the metal oxides are not the
active form and must be activated by converting them to metal sulfides. During the
sulfiding step, moly oxide forms moly sulfide slabs. Download the
During HDS processing, the moly sulfide slabs are exposed to H2 at elevated Bapco
temperatures. Some of the sulfur molecules along the edge of the slab will react with Technical
the H2, forming H2S that will desorb from the moly slab. These leaves a vacancy Writing Style
along the edge of the slab that will attract an an organo-sulfur molecule contained in Guide free-of-
the sour feed. The sulfur atom contained in the organo-sulfur molecule will stay charge. Every
adsorbed to the moly slab, resulting in a sulfur free organic molecule. The resulting engineer
H2S gas is sent to the Sulfur Recovery Unit in order to remove the H2S from the needs a copy.
system.

26/02/2010 A: Virendra Kapoor, Petroleum Refining Consultants, vkkapoor9@yahoo.com

Don't wait for
Co- Mo or Ni-Mo catalyst used in NHT are active in Co-MO-S phase or Ni-Mo-S phase.
the mail.
They are inactive in oxide form. So it becomes necessary to sulfide them by
Download the
providing about 8 to 10 wt % of sulfur as easily decomposable hydrocarbon sulfur.
current
26/02/2010 A: Syamantak Dhar, Indian Oil corporation Limited, syamantak.dhar@aol.in edition of
The Hydrotreating catalyst are generally present in their stable oxide when shipped PTQ in digital
or regenerated. To make the catalyst active sulfiding is done where the Co-Mo format free-
catalyst are generally converted to their sulphided form from oxide. Sulfiding is done of-charge
genrally by adding DMDS with the feedstock at temperature starting from 180 to right now.
operating temperature.

23/02/2010 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net Renew your

Clarification to the reformer feed comment: Sulfur is a temporary poison to registration,
reforming catalyst, thus the reduction of sulfur in the feed to a target of 0.5 wppm. update your
If the sulfur runs less than 0.3 wppm, DMDS is injected to reach that level, for the details or
reasons I mentioned. register to
receive the
23/02/2010 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net print edition
Corrections to both of my answers: (1) In the old days, we started up at reduced of PTQ
temperature, not reduced feedrate, until the catalyst was sulfided. (2) Reformer feed
sulfur level is maintained 0.3-0.5 wppm to prevent coke formation in the furnace
tubes and carburization of the furnace tubes. Has nothing to do with catalyst Our Media
activity. Details for
2017
23/02/2010 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net
Some sulfur on the catalyst is needed to reach maximum activity. In the old days,
we just lived with reduced activity but at reduced feedrate for awhile until the sulfur
in the feed sulfided the catalyst.
Interestingly, today's reforming catalyst also requires some sulfur in the feed to that
unit to achieve good cat activity.

23/02/2010 A: keith bowers, B and B Consulting, kebowers47@gmail.com

The active form of the metal in the catalyst is the sulfide, not the oxide. If you raise
the hydrogen partial pressure and temperature up to 'treating conditions', the oxide
will be reduced to metal and will be useless and non-catalytic.

Post Answer

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer Privacy

1 of 1 7/6/17, 1:59 PM