Temperature detection in hydrocracking process

Endress+Hauser’s temperature solutions offer high-precision monitoring capabilities that help refineries optimise process efficiency, extend catalyst life, and manage operational challenges, Michele Pietroni tells OGN

HYDROPROCESSING is a fundamental operation in refineries, encompassing two major unit types: Hydrotreaters and hydrocrackers. These units process gas oils of varying boiling points to produce a range of refined products with diverse qualities and performances.

Hydrotreaters are the most common processing units in modern refineries, constituting nearly half of global crude distillation capacity.

The number of hydrotreaters worldwide is almost three times that of distillation columns, and the average annual growth rate (AAGR) for these units is projected at 2.6 per cent until 2027. Hydrocrackers, though less common, are expected to grow at a higher AAGR of 6 per cent in the same period.

Countries like China, the US, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia account for 56 per cent of global hydrocracking capacity as of 2022.

In Asia, nations including China, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan contribute to 90 per cent of the region’s hydrocracking capacity, which is anticipated to grow at 8.8 per cent AAGR until 2027.

“These developments are driven by rising fuel demand and increasingly stringent regulations aimed at producing cleaner fuels, including those derived from non-fossil feedstocks,” Michele Pietroni, Industry Manager – O&G and Chemical, Endress+Hauser, tells OGN energy magazine.

HYDROTREATING vs HYDROCRACKING: KEY DIFFERENCES

Although both hydrotreating and hydrocracking involve the use of high-pressure hydrogen and catalysts to remove contaminants from oil fractions, there are significant distinctions between the two processes.

Hydrotreating primarily removes sulphur, nitrogen, and oxygen without breaking carbon-to-carbon bonds, while hydrocracking breaks these bonds to produce lighter products with varied energy content and properties.

Another key difference lies in the oil conversion rates, where hydrocracking achieves lower conversion of feedstock into products.