Testing of hydrodesulfurization process in small trickle-bed reactor

The influence of some reaction parameters on hydrodesulfurization (HDS) in the experimental trickle-bed reactor (Andreas-Hofer apparatus) was investigated. A mixture of two gas oils (atmospheric gas oil and light cyclic oil from FCC) was used as feed. The investigations were performed at 300 °C, under space velocity from 1.0 to 2.5 m3 m−3 h−1, hydrogen pressure of 40 and 65 bar, at H2/CH ratio from 100 to 500. A simple reactor and a kinetic model were used, yielding good agreement between experimental and theoretical values of sulfur concentrations. Simulation experiments were performed by changing H2/CH ratio, pressure and LHSV. The correlation recorded between the changed parameters and sulfur content was in that with higher pressure and ratio of H2/CH the percentage of removed sulfur increased. Increased space velocity produced opposite effect. These experimental results and the change of either one or more process parameters or of the catalyst type enabled performance of the industrial reactor.