HDS - Hydrodesulfurization pilot plant

Description

The HDS pilot unit is a hydrotreating system specifically designed for the removal of sulfur compounds from liquid hydrocarbon feeds under hydrogenation conditions, with full compatibility for H₂S-containing streams. It enables detailed evaluation of catalyst performance, sulfur conversion efficiency, and operating parameters on feeds ranging from light distillates to heavier fractions. The unit is engineered to reproduce industrial HDS environments while remaining suitable for R&D, process optimization, and scale-up studies. The unit is built on a modular skid integrating feed handling, hydrogen supply, fixed-bed reactor(s), and high-efficiency gas–liquid separation. All wetted parts, materials of construction, and safety systems are selected to safely handle H₂S and sour hydrocarbons. Fully automated control and supervision allow stable long-duration testing, accurate sulfur mass balances, and safe operation when working with toxic and corrosive H₂S-rich effluents.

Features

Fixed-bed reactor configuration compatible with commercial HDS catalysts and sour feeds containing H₂S
Materials of construction and sealing solutions suitable for H₂S service and corrosive environments
Integrated hydrogen feed and recycle with precise flow, pressure, and H₂S-tolerant control components
High-efficiency gas–liquid separation ensuring reliable handling of H₂S-bearing gas and liquid phases
Modular skid design allowing customization of operating pressure, temperature, and sulfur load


Benefits

* Safe and representative testing of HDS catalysts under real sour-service conditions
* High-quality, transferable data for industrial hydrotreating unit design and optimization
* Reduced development risk when scaling up processes involving high sulfur feeds