Understanding the hydrodenitrogenation chemistry of heavy oils

Systematic investigation of eight heavy oils with very widely varying properties has revealed that the hydrodenitrogenation chemistry of heavy oils is controlled by the strongly inhibiting three and larger ring aromatic hydrocarbon content of the heavy oil. The information forwarded by this study is expected to assist clean fuels production by providing new avenues for developing superior catalysts and improving/optimizing the heavy oil hydrodenitrogenation process.