PTQ Q4 2025 Issue

Latest ReNewFine catalysts introduction

Platform

Grades

Application

Introduction

ReNewFine

RNF 102 RNF 204

Phosphorous + (alkaline) metals trapping

2024 2024

HDO

Table 3

Conclusions Catalysts are among the most profitable investments for refin - ers. They enable optimised utilisation of existing assets and help avoid costly revamps, which is particularly valuable in times of low capital allowances and operational cost reductions. New catalyst platforms have been developed that allow increasing profitability in both conventional (fossil) and renew - ables applications. The Pulsar catalyst platform is designed for low- and medium-pressure distillate hydrotreating (KF 787, KF 774) and FCC-PT (KF 917). The Quasar catalyst platform is dedicated to high-pressure distillate and LCO hydrotreat- ing (KF 882) and HC-PT (KF 872). The Pulsar grades have already become a standard in distillate hydrotreating, while the Quasar grades are rapidly being adopted by the market. For renewable applications, the ReNewFine catalyst plat- form has been optimised with two new catalyst additions, RNF 102 and RNF 204. Designed for trapping phospho- rus and alkaline metals and for HDO, respectively, they are applied in both 100% and co-processing operations. For optimal catalyst performance, proper application in the hydrotreaters is crucial. This article outlines the reactions occurring in conventional and renewable co-processing applications and details Ketjen’s catalyst loading optimiza- tion technologies, STAX and ReNewSTAX, which enhance operating robustness, flexibility, and profitability.” PULSAR, QUASAR, NEBULA, STAX, RENEWFINE and RENEWSTAX are marks of Ketjen. CELESTIA is a mark of E xxonMobil. Acknowledgements The author would like to express his gratitude to everyone at Ketjen and Nippon Ketjen who contributed to the development and introduc- tion in the market of the catalysts discussed in this article. References 1 Andrea, Battiston, Advancing catalytic performance in hydrotreating: Part 1. Review of chemistry and catalysis determining performance in low- and medium-pressure distillate hydrotreating and FCC-PT, PTQ Catalysis 2025 . https://cdn.digitalrefining.com/data/digital_magazines/ file/161-cataGBPysis-2025-issue.pdf 2 Sustainable aviation fuel production via the HEFA route: Insights and innovations, PTQ’s ERTC 2024 Newspaper. 3 ReNewFine for renewable diesel and SAF: Results of a 20-year part- nership in 100% HVO, PTQ’s ERTC 2023 Newspaper. 4 Sustainable aviation fuel production via the HEFA route: chemistry & catalysis, Decarbonisation Technology, May 2025. Andrea Battiston is Strategic Marketing Advisor and Subject Matter Expert for Clean Fuel Technology at Ketjen. He is responsible for the development and application of Ketjen’s hydrotreating catalyst portfolio for conventional and renewable feedstocks, and for providing technical support to customers. Battiston has 22 years of experience in the research, development, and commercial application of hydrotreating catalysts.

platform, RNF 102 and RNF 204, and their application, designed for both 100% and co-processing applications. RNF 102 is the newest grade for trapping phosphorus and alkaline metals. It features a multi-modal pore structure that facilitates access to the catalyst’s inner pore volume and increases its trapping capacity. RNF 102 helps minimise pressure drop (dP) and reduce the unselective conversion of triglycerides above the HDO selective catalyst. RNF 204 is the latest ReNewFine HDO catalyst, offering an optimised balance of the HYD active sites. This enhance- ment leads to nearly 100% HDO selectivity, depending on the operating conditions, and ensures high stability through- out the operating cycle. Additionally, the catalyst’s pore structure is designed to provide high metal trapping capac- ity, capturing contaminants that may slip from the guard bed, and is highly tolerant to gum and coke formation. RNF 102 and RNF 204 are already in use at several facil- ities, with the first renewables co-processing cycles having started in 2024. The effectiveness of RNF 204 in commer- cial practice is demonstrated by the case of a low-to-me- dium pressure hydrotreater (35 bar/510 psig PPH2 outlet) co-processing SRGO, LCO, and UCO (see Figure 9 ). In the current cycle, which is still running at the time of writing, RNF 204 is loaded in the reactor’s top section, while KF 774 Pulsar is applied as the main HDS/N/A catalyst in Zone 2. Compared to the previous cycle in co-processing mode, the improved catalyst system has led to a 12°C/22°F reduction in normalised WABT and a significantly lower deactivation rate. The performance improvement stems from higher HDO selectivity of RNF 204 and higher HDS/HDN activity of KF 774 Pulsar. This large operating advantage provides the option to significantly extend the operating cycle or/and increase the intake of LCO and UCO, depending on feed availability and economics, thereby maximising operating flexibility and margins.

390 400

380 12˚C / 22˚F 370

330 340 350 360

RNF 204/KF 774 P ulsar Previous cycle

TOS

Figure 9 Performance advantage in co-processing mode provided by a loading combination of RNF 204 and KF 774 Pulsar in a low-to-medium pressure hydrotreater treating SRGO, LCO, and UCO

PTQ Q4 2025