Selective ring opening of naphthenes: From mechanistic studies with a model feed to the upgrading of a hydrotreated light cycle oil

- Iridium and platinum based catalysts, with high selective ring opening selectivity were used to upgrade a hydrotreated LCO.
- Hydroconversion of hydrotreated LCO resulted in a strong decrease of condensed naphthenic structures.
- Changes in chemical structure led to a remarkable increase of Cetane Index with relatively low cracking yields.
- It is shown the possibility to upgrade aromatic rich streams to products meeting the Cetane Number specification of gasoil.
- Testing ring-opening catalysts with decalin enables to investigate the main factors affecting the ring-opening reaction.