Platinum Group Metals (PGM) fixed bed

E 15x S: Be able to process less pure feedstocks with BASFs sulfur resistant catalyst family.

BASF's innovative sulfur resistant catalyst family E 15x S was developed to enable our customers to hydrogenate demanding feedstocks containing high sulfur impurities. BASF investigated the nature of sulfur components and the interaction with conventional palladium-based hydrogenation catalysts. Based on our findings we developed a specialized catalyst formulation and preparation method to increase the tolerance for high amounts of sulfur and therefore maximize the life-time of the precious metal catalysts in less pure feedstocks. This enables customers to get the most out of their precious metal and accordingly keep it at the lowest level and save costs.

The need to process feedstocks with higher amounts of impurities is increasing due to high costs for or availability of pure feedstock on the market. BASFs strong R&D developed a specialized catalyst solution, which allows hydrogenation of feedstocks with high sulfur content without additional investment into costly palladium.

• Need to process impure feedstock is increasing
• Sulfur impurities are the main challenge, especially for pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation
• Its high sulfur content shorten cycle- and lifetime of conventional palladium catalysts
• BASFs R&D developed a specialized new carrier system suitable to process high demanding feedstocks without additional investment into precious metal
• Commercial references available

E 15x L: Reduce the cost-of-fill and CO2 footprint with high activity despite reduced precious metal in reactors.

BASF developed a new process to enable access to mechanically stable and uniform ultra low-density Al₂O₃ spheres. These alumina spheres are manufactured on a dedicated production line at our plant in Germany. The low-density  Al₂O₃ spheres serve as a versatile platform for precious metal hydrogenation catalysts. Especially its usage in applications as C3 selective hydrogenation, C4 selective hydrogenation and selective hydrogenation of pyrolysis gasoline have been successfully proven, but do not limit the use of this new catalyst series.

The low-density catalysts with its high metal efficiency minimize the precious metal investment significantly. These reduced active mass in the reactor is compensated by an enhanced hydrogenation activity. Special egg-shell coating techniques liberate a high number of precious metal clusters to the surface and provide contact to the processed feed.

With the new low-density catalyst family, we are improving the efficiency of the active precious metal content in the reactors of our customers.

• Low density Al₂O₃ carriers produced in Germany as a versatile and powerful platform for precious metal catalysts
• Maximum utilization of precious metal due to enhanced activity by defined egg-shell coating
• Outstanding activity, high crush strength, and low attrition values
• Economical and ecological improvement for all units