How a 70-year-old catalytic refinery process is still ever dependent on innovation

Hydroprocessing as a catalytic refinery process is over 70 years old. Currently strong economic, environmental and social drivers are pushing the oil industry to produce more and higher quality fuels. Hydroprocessing is the turnkey technology of choice for refineries to meet these commercial demands and, consequently, catalyst vendors are being asked to design and develop more active and more selective catalysts. As a result, continuous innovation has been taking place and tremendous progress has been made in understanding the preparation and activity responses of these catalysts. Today, the refinery industry asks for “tailored, fit for purpose” hydroprocessing catalysts to meet their commercial goals. To meet such goals requires a deeper understanding of the complexities associated with commercial catalysts. This is a clear challenge for both academia and industry to gain the required knowledge to design and develop new and improved catalysts.