Phillips 66
Increasing hydrocracker diesel yield, total liquid yield and pour point properties by ammonia or amine spiking

Abstract:

A process is disclosed for shifting the product of a hydrocracker in a hydrocarbon refinery back and forth from a more naphtha focused product slate to a more diesel focused product slate to take advantage of price and demand shifts between gasoline and diesel by using a naphtha selective catalyst and temporarily passivating the catalyst with a basic material such as ammonia in the hydrocracker. The ammonia passivates the acid catalyst sites on the catalyst and produces more total liquids and more diesel with attractive cold flow and pour point properties for a temporary period. When implemented in a temporary manner and the flow of ammonia is suspended the hydrocracker product slate returns to a more gasoline focused slate.