Description
The hydrotreating pilot unit is a versatile hydrogenation platform designed to support a wide range of refining and upgrading reactions, including alkylation, hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), isomerization, and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN). It enables controlled investigation of catalyst performance, reaction pathways, and operating conditions for conventional and renewable feedstocks, such as petroleum-derived streams, bio-oils, and intermediate upgrading products. The unit is engineered to reproduce industrial hydrotreating conditions while retaining the flexibility required for R&D, process development, and scale-up activities. The system is built on a modular skid integrating feed preparation, hydrogen supply, fixed-bed reactor(s), and efficient gas–liquid separation. Its design allows easy adaptation to different reaction schemes, catalyst types, and operating windows, supporting both single-function and combined hydrotreating steps. Fully automated control and supervision ensure stable long-duration operation, accurate mass balances, and repeatable experimental campaigns.
Features
Fixed-bed reactor configuration suitable for alkylation, HDO, isomerization, and HDN catalyst testing
Flexible process layout allowing single or sequential hydrotreating reactions within the same unit
Integrated hydrogen feed and recycle with precise control of flow, pressure, and temperature
High-efficiency gas–liquid separation for reliable product recovery and mass balance closure
Modular skid design enabling customization of severity, reactor sizing, and feedstock range
Benefits
* One platform covering multiple hydrotreating and upgrading applications without dedicated units
* Reliable, industrially representative data for catalyst selection and process optimization
* Reduced development time and risk for scale-up of advanced hydrotreating pathways
