hidrotreated

Hidrotreated describes materials that have undergone hydroprocessing, a catalytic treatment in which hydrogen is added to a feedstock under elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst. The aim is to remove heteroatoms such as sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and metals, and to saturate unsaturated hydrocarbons, yielding products with improved stability, color, and combustion properties. In refinery practice, hidrotreated materials can result from processes including hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodearomatization, hydrocracking, and related sequences.

Common catalysts used in hidrotreated processing include sulfided cobalt-molybdenum (CoMo) or nickel-molybdenum (NiMo) on alumina or silica-alumina supports. Typical operating conditions involve temperatures around 320–400°C and hydrogen pressures ranging from 20 to 100+ bar, depending on the feedstock and desired products. The process reduces sulfur and nitrogen contents in fuels, improves cetane numbers, lowers aromatics, and can convert heavy or residual fractions into lighter, more marketable products.

Applications of hidrotreated products span petroleum refining and renewable fuel production. In refineries, hidrotreated streams are used to upgrade diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel, as well as lubricants. In renewable energy, feeds such as hydrotreated vegetable oil and other fats are processed to produce renewable diesel and naphtha with high paraffin content and very low sulfur.

Advantages of hidrotreated processing include cleaner, more stable fuels and better engine compatibility. Limitations involve significant hydrogen consumption, catalyst fouling or deactivation by sulfur and other contaminants, and substantial capital and operating costs.