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Study on Hydrodesulfurization of a Mixture of Middle Distillates

  • Research Article - Chemical Engineering
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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of a mixture of crude oil fractions (e.g., naphtha, kerosene, and gas oil) all in one time in a single reactor loaded with \(\hbox {NiCoMo}/\hbox {Al}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}\) under various operating parameters such as temperature \((310{-}370\,^{\circ }\hbox {C})\), pressure (40–55 bars), weight hour space velocity \((1.2\hbox {--}3.6\, \hbox {h}^{-1})\), and hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon ratio (150–300 vol/vol). Experimental results showed that temperature and pressure have positive effects on process performance while weight hour space velocity gives a different trend. Optimum operating conditions (i.e., \(350 \,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\), \(50\,\hbox {bars}, 1.2\,\hbox {h}^{-1}\), and 200 vol/vol) with the theoretical and experimental values of HDS efficiency of 95.4 and 95.8%, respectively, were estimated using advance statistical software DESIGN-EXPERT 10.0.6.0. Reaction products were fractionated and analyzed for comparing with products of the conventional HDS method. An approximate evaluation of the proposed system indicated a 60% reduction in fixed capital cost compared to that for conventional hydrotreatment system. The experimental analysis revealed the feasibility of the proposed method.

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Abbreviations

API:

\(\hbox {API}\,\hbox {gravity} = (141.5/\hbox {Specific}\,\hbox {Gravity}) - 131.5\)

BT:

Benzothiophene

\(\hbox {C}_{4}\hbox {H}_{4}\hbox {S}\) :

Thiophene

DBT:

Dibenzothiophene

DDS:

Direct desulfurization

DHYD:

Dehydrogenation

EP:

End boiling point \((^{\circ }\hbox {C})\)

GOL:

Gas oil and light fractions

HC:

Hydrocarbon

HDS:

Hydrodesulfurization

HDT:

Hydrotreatment

HN:

Heavy naphtha

HP:

High pressure

HYD:

Hydrogenation

DHYD:

Dehydrogenation

IBP:

Initial boiling point \((^{\circ }\hbox {C})\)

K:

Kerosene

MHC:

Mild hydrocracking

LN:

Light naphtha

LGO:

Light gas oil

P :

Pressure (bar)

PR&D:

Petroleum research and development

RCR:

Reduced crude oil

\({S}_\mathrm{f}\) :

Content of sulfur in feed (wppm)

\({S}_\mathrm{p}\) :

Content of sulfur in product (wppm)

Sp.gr:

Specific gravity of oil (–)

T :

Temperature \((^{\circ }\hbox {C})\)

WHSV:

Weight hour space velocity \((\hbox {h}^{-1})\)

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Acknowledgements

Researchers are thankful to the School of Chemical Engineering, University of Technology, for assistance in completion of this work. The fund number (1/231/751) which has been awarded by the PR&D Center is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq

    Mohammad F. Abid & Waleed H. Abohameed

  2. SCOP, Ministry of Oil, Baghdad, Iraq

    Shakir M. Ahmed

  3. Petroleum Research and Development Center, Ministry of Oil, Baghdad, Iraq

    Salah M. Ali

Authors
  1. Mohammad F. Abid
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  2. Shakir M. Ahmed
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  3. Waleed H. Abohameed
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  4. Salah M. Ali
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Correspondence to Mohammad F. Abid.

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Abid, M.F., Ahmed, S.M., Abohameed, W.H. et al. Study on Hydrodesulfurization of a Mixture of Middle Distillates. Arab J Sci Eng 43, 5837–5850 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-3005-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-3005-1

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