Ex situ monitoring of the state of Hydrodesulfurization catalysts: an effective method for obtaining clean diesel

Abstract

For just over a decade, the energy transition has been initiated around the world. This has led to an increase in the consumption of renewable energies without, however, causing a considerable decrease in the consumption of fossil fuels. The use of petroleum and its derivatives is still relevant. In this context, the efforts undertaken for the effective implementation of renewable energies must be combined with those aimed to reduce the environmental impact of petroleum derivatives coming from petroleum refining. For example, the presence of sulfur in diesel oil is an important source of pollution. Reducing the content of sulfur in diesel oil therefore remains a major challenge for petroleum refining units. The current means to overcome this challenge are few and expensive. The most common way is to improve existing infrastructures. However, rigorous monitoring of hydrodesulfurization catalysts could be a simple and efficient way to obtain a clean diesel. Taking the “Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR)” which is the Ivorian refining company as an example, the implementation of this approach is analyzed in the present work.