Catalysis 2025 Issue

Since SAF production in HEFA units carries a yield loss penalty, the positive economics of higher SAF production has to be balanced against reduced yields to RD and increased yields to lighter products The advantages of reduced H₂S gas and faster heat-up time previously described remain. In addition, Totsucat BFP speeds up in-situ activation of base metal dewaxing cata- lyst. BFP allows HEFA feedstock to be added at start-up and eliminates the need for catalyst break-in. Not only does this allow in-situ activation of the dewax catalyst to proceed immediately, rather than waiting for the HDO catalyst to break-in, it also allows the unit to more easily reach the ele- vated temperatures required to fully activate NiW catalyst. SAF production from the n-paraffins exiting the HDO section requires the average boiling point of the stream Single-stage catalysts are activated by sulphidation, and two-stage catalysts are activated by reduction. Pre-activation of base metal catalysts on shape-selective zeolite supports is currently not possible. Users report a lower yield to RD for ex-situ activated catalyst compared to the same catalyst activated in-situ. The reason for this shift in selectivity is unclear, but until a suitable method of pre-activation for these grades is identified, process licen - sors recommend in-situ activation. Despite the necessity to activate the single-stage dewaxing catalyst in-situ, it is still worthwhile to ex-situ activate catalysts used in the HDO section. to be reduced by catalytic cracking. The catalysts used for this are similar to base metal (NiW) zeolitic cracking cat- alysts used in jet-selective fossil oil hydrocrackers. Unlike RD units, where no boiling point reduction is necessary, increasing yields to SAF in a HEFA unit causes greater yield loss to lighter, less valuable products. Since SAF production in HEFA units carries a yield loss penalty, the positive economics of higher SAF produc- tion has to be balanced against reduced yields to RD and increased yields to lighter products. The cracking catalysts used to produce SAF in HEFA units are activated by sulphi- dation. Totsucat is suitable to activate the catalysts used to produce SAF in HEFA units and has numerous references. Ex-situ pre-activation of the catalysts in HEFA units is justified both technically and economically. Eurecat’s Totsucat BFP provides a robust solution to the unique feedstock characteristics and process limitations that make in-situ activation of HEFA unit catalysts so challenging. Steve Mayo is VP Technology and Business Development for Eurecat, responsible for product research, development, and deployment. Mayo has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and over 40 years of experience in catalysis research, applications, and manu- facturing. Email: smayo@eurecat.com

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