Improvements in or relating to the reduction of the aromatic content of petroleum distillates

摘要

The aromatic content of petroleum distillates having a sulphur content of not more than 300 p.p.m. and boiling in the range 60-350 DEG C. is reduced by hydrogenating the distillate in the presence of a catalyst comprising platinum on a silica-alumina carrier containing 75-95 wt. per cent silica. Preferred conditions are:-70-1000 p.s.i.g. 100-400 DEG C. 500-17,000 SCFH/Bbl. 0.1-20 v./v./hr. Distillates containing more than 300 p.p.m. of sulphur may be subjected to a preliminary hydrodesulphurization over a conventional catalyst.