Potentials for Diesel Fuel Production by Hydroprocessing of Middle Distillates

The growing demand for diesel fuel relative to fuel oil has caused refiners to increase conversion of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) operation. This has increased production of diesel blending components, such as cracked middle distillates, which have poorer storage stability, cetane index, and fuel quality. On the other hand, diesel specifications are expected to decrease the sulfur and aromatic levels to 0.05 wt. % and 10-20 liquid volume%, respectively. Economic evaluation of alternatives to meet diesel specifications showed hydrotreating to be the most feasible. Recent studies have shown that available hydrotreating technologies need further development in catalysts and processes to meet this challenge. This paper reviews the scientific and technical literature regarding the hydrotreating of middle distillate in terms of economics, chemistry, processes, and catalysts, and proposes a new direction in technology development.