Hüdrotöötlemist

Hüdrotöötlemist is a term used in Estonian to describe hydrotreating or hydroprocessing. It is a group of catalytic chemical processes used in petroleum refineries and other industries to purify or enhance the quality of hydrocarbon-based substances. The primary purpose of hüdrotöötlemist is to remove impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and metals from feedstocks like crude oil, naphtha, kerosene, diesel fuel, and lubricating oils.

The process involves reacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst. Common catalysts include those based on cobalt-molybdenum or nickel-molybdenum supported on alumina. During hüdrotöötlemist, sulfur compounds are converted into hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrogen compounds into ammonia (NH3), and oxygen compounds into water (H2O). Unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as olefins and aromatics, can also be saturated.

The severity of the hüdrotöötlemist process, determined by temperature, pressure, hydrogen partial pressure, and space velocity, is adjusted based on the specific feedstock and the desired product quality. For example, hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is a crucial step in producing low-sulfur fuels, which are environmentally mandated in many regions to reduce air pollution from combustion. Hüdrotöötlemist also plays a role in improving the stability and color of petroleum products. Beyond refining, hüdrotöötlemist can be applied to other processes, such as upgrading biomass-derived oils.