Commercial impact The TK-44x SiliconTrap generation has been installed in more than 50% of coker naphtha units worldwide, with sig- nificant benefits (see Table 4 ). Leveraging the enhanced silicon uptake and catalyst activity will result in longer cycle lengths. As an example, the new TK-46x SiliconTrap catalysts will extend a 24-month cycle by three to five months. Using a production rate of 20,000 BPD as an example, the additional production is close to 2 MM barrels, which will pay for the entire load of catalyst many times. Furthermore, the improved HDS and HDN activity ena- bles naphtha units to process feedstocks with higher sul- phur and nitrogen levels. This enhanced activity mitigates potential downstream issues in reforming and isomerisa- tion units when processing more challenging feedstocks. Conclusion Silicon contamination in refining operations remains a for - midable challenge that demands innovative solutions. These challenges are addressed by catalyst technology employing an optimised alumina‐based guard material engineered to maximise silicon pick-up while preserving robust HDN and HDS activities. The progression from the previous-generation coker naphtha catalyst to the new generation of TK-461 SiliconTrap and TK-467 SiliconTrap catalyst marks a sig- nificant improvement in silicon pick-up coupled with increased HDS and HDN activity, directly translating into extended catalyst cycle lengths, reduced operational costs, and increased unit profitability. The reliability of down - stream units, such as reforming and isomerisation, is also improved.
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References 1 Kellerberg, L., Zeuthen, P., Jacobsen, H.J., Journal of Catalysis , Vol 143, Issue 1, 1993, pp.45-51. 2 Topsoe, H., Topsoe, N., Journal of Catalysis , Vol 84, 1983, p386. 3 Topsoe, H., Topsoe, N., Journal of Catalysis , Vol 139, issue 2, 1993, pp.631-640. 4 Breivik, R., Egebjerg, R., PTQ Q1 2008. 5 Rasmussen, H., Schmidt, M., Catalysis PTQ, 2016. Xavier E. Ruiz Maldonado is a Technical Service Manager at Topsoe North America with more than 18 years of experience in hydrotreat- ing and hydrocracking technical assistance across the Americas and European regions. Maldonado holds an MSc in chemical engineering from Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela and a petroleum studies degree from the French Institute of Petroleum. Email: xerm@topsoe.com. Christian Frederik Weise is a Principal Scientist within Topsoe R&D with more than 12 years of experience in the development of hydro- processing catalyst, with focus on grading and guard materials for both renewable and fossil fuel applications. Weise holds a PhD in organic chemistry from University of Leipzig, Germany. Email: chfw@topsoe.com
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