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are there any aromatic saturation happening in a Hydrocracker unit? What is the favourable condition for aromatic saturation? We have high aromatic naphtha (60 vol %). can we process it through hydrocracker for satration of aromatics?
 
Answers
07/10/2008 A: Samuel Sinanan, IPSL, Samuel.Sinanan@ipsl.co.tt
It depends on whether the aromatics are mono- or polyaromatics. Polyaromatics are easily saturated at normal hydrocracking conditions. The saturation of monoaromatics is limited by equilibrium so it will depend on the hydrogen partial pressure and temperatures. I know of a refinery that processed a small quantity of Visbreaker naphtha in their mild hydrocracking unit with success. If you plan to do that, you need to check your light ends section for any bottlenecks.