What Role Do Catalysts Play in the Oil Industry?

The efficient operation and green development of the oil industry rely heavily on the core support of catalysts. They are not only "accelerators" that optimize oil refining processes and improve oil quality, but also "purifiers" that address smelting pollution and support industry compliance. Their role spans the entire oil processing chain.

In terms of their primary use, catalysts primarily optimize refining and increase product value. For example, catalytic cracking catalysts can break down long-chain hydrocarbons in heavy crude oil, converting them into lighter oils like gasoline and diesel, increasing light oil yields by 20%-30%. Hydrorefining catalysts, on the other hand, remove sulfur and nitrogen impurities from crude oil, reducing the sulfur content to below 10 ppm, meeting "ultra-low sulfur oil" standards such as China VI and Euro VI. Furthermore, catalysts can reduce energy costs. For example, high-efficiency hydrogenation catalysts can lower the reaction temperature from 600°C to 300-400°C, reducing refinery energy consumption.

The oil refining process generates various types of pollution, with air and water pollution being the most prominent. These pollutants not only damage the environment but also affect human health. Different catalysts address different pollution treatment needs: Hydrodesulfurization catalysts are central to SO₂ treatment, converting sulfur compounds into recyclable hydrogen sulfide through catalytic hydrogenation, thus avoiding SO₂ emissions. SCR denitrification catalysts use ammonia as a reducing agent to reduce NOₓ to harmless nitrogen and water, achieving a removal rate exceeding 85%. Catalytic combustion catalysts can oxidize VOCs to carbon dioxide and water at temperatures between 200°C and 350°C, eliminating secondary pollution. Wastewater treatment relies on catalytic oxidation catalysts, which activate oxidants to generate hydroxyl radicals, rapidly degrading recalcitrant organic matter and reducing the COD value of wastewater.
In summary, petroleum refining catalysts are both key to improving quality and efficiency in the oil industry and core technologies for addressing pollution challenges, providing a crucial guarantee for the oil industry to balance energy supply and environmental protection needs.

author: Hazel
date: 2025-10-17