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© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. K. Pant et al. (eds.), Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental
Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65021-6_1
Recent Advances in Hydrotreating/
Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts: Part I:
Nature of Active Phase and Support
G. Valavarasu and B. Ramachandrarao
Abstract Hydrotreating/hydrodesulfurization is one of the important refining processes to improve the quality of petroleum fractions such as naphtha, aviation fuels,
diesel, vacuum gas oils, and residue in terms of lower sulfur content and improved
combustion performance. Over the years, the importance of this process increased
multifold due to stringent environmental regulations imposed by several countries
worldwide. Catalysts form the core of hydrotreating reactions in order to increase
the rate of hydrodesulfurization reactions and enhance the active sites for removal
of refractory sulfur species from petroleum fractions. In view of the importance of
catalysts in carrying out hydroprocessing reactions, the present chapter (Part I)
reviews the recent advances in hydrotreating/hydrodesulfurization in terms of the
nature of active phase and support materials. It is imperative to understand these
latest developments to design a suitable hydrotreating catalyst with required activity, selectivity, and long-term stability in order to produce ultralow sulfur/low aromatic fuels and lubricating oils.
Keywords Hydrotreating · Hydrodesulfurization · Hydrocracking · Vacuum gas
oil · Catalyst support · Refining
1 Introduction
Hydroprocessing is broadly classified as a catalytic refining process carried out in
the presence of hydrogen at higher temperatures and hydrogen partial pressures
either to improve the quality of fuels/lubricating oils (hydrotreating) or convert the
low-value vacuum gas oil (VGO) and residue into high-value fuels/lubricating oils
(hydrocracking). Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) refers to the specific application of
hydrotreating (HDT) for the removal of sulfur compounds from petroleum fractions
G. Valavarasu () · B. Ramachandrarao
HP Green R&D Center, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited,
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
e-mail: valavarasu@hpcl.in
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. K. Pant et al. (eds.), Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental
Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65021-6_1
Recent Advances in Hydrotreating/
Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts: Part I:
Nature of Active Phase and Support
G. Valavarasu and B. Ramachandrarao
Abstract Hydrotreating/hydrodesulfurization is one of the important refining processes to improve the quality of petroleum fractions such as naphtha, aviation fuels,
diesel, vacuum gas oils, and residue in terms of lower sulfur content and improved
combustion performance. Over the years, the importance of this process increased
multifold due to stringent environmental regulations imposed by several countries
worldwide. Catalysts form the core of hydrotreating reactions in order to increase
the rate of hydrodesulfurization reactions and enhance the active sites for removal
of refractory sulfur species from petroleum fractions. In view of the importance of
catalysts in carrying out hydroprocessing reactions, the present chapter (Part I)
reviews the recent advances in hydrotreating/hydrodesulfurization in terms of the
nature of active phase and support materials. It is imperative to understand these
latest developments to design a suitable hydrotreating catalyst with required activity, selectivity, and long-term stability in order to produce ultralow sulfur/low aromatic fuels and lubricating oils.
Keywords Hydrotreating · Hydrodesulfurization · Hydrocracking · Vacuum gas
oil · Catalyst support · Refining
1 Introduction
Hydroprocessing is broadly classified as a catalytic refining process carried out in
the presence of hydrogen at higher temperatures and hydrogen partial pressures
either to improve the quality of fuels/lubricating oils (hydrotreating) or convert the
low-value vacuum gas oil (VGO) and residue into high-value fuels/lubricating oils
(hydrocracking). Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) refers to the specific application of
hydrotreating (HDT) for the removal of sulfur compounds from petroleum fractions
G. Valavarasu () · B. Ramachandrarao
HP Green R&D Center, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited,
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
e-mail: valavarasu@hpcl.in