Diesel Hydrotreating

Axens Offer

To keep pace with these challenges, Axens continuously develops their Prime-D™ offer, a full set of commercially proven technologies covering all objectives, ensuring minimum investment and operating costs, for maximum reliability and performances:

Prime-D™ spans over 60 years
Over 270 licensed units around the world
Over 500 catalyst references around the world.

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Conventional Prime-D™

Conventional Prime-D™ ensures achievement of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) specification, density and cetane improvement over a large range of diesels cuts: from straight run to large cracked feedstocks.

ULSD achievement moderate cetane/density improvement

Over 180 references in ULSD service

Related Offer

Modular Unit Catalyst Protection Systems

Prime-D™ with dewaxing

In addition to reaching ultra-low sulfur content, cold flow properties and specifications of the diesel product may have to be improved due to local climatic constraints.

Prime-D™ with dewaxing is a competitive alternative for cold flow properties improvement as compared to more costly options such as feed undercutting, kerosene blending, or chemical additive addition, leading to high operating costs and loss in diesel yield.

Low cost option

Maximize diesel yield

Related Offer

Modular Unit Catalyst Protection Systems

Prime-D™ with cracking

While having to handle heavier diesel cuts, the refiner has to address the demand for more gasoline for the fuel market or for petrochemicals production downstream.

Consequently, the middle distillates hydrotreatment target is evolving to bring sufficient flexibility to the products properties as well as yields adjustment. To this end, deep optimization of cracking and hydrotreatment catalyst systems are required.

Prime-D™ with cracking is the optimal solution when deep hydrogenation is not enough to reach stringent specifications on density and/or cetane for refractory feedstocks, or when additional gasoline production is desired.

Ultimate Cetane & density improvement for refractory feedstocks

T95 reduction

Related Offer

Modular Unit Catalyst Protection Systems

Prime-D™ with renewable lipids co-processing

Due to several factors, mineral diesel fuels are being progressively substituted by renewable ones. As such, production of renewable diesel by co-processing of bio-feedstock with fossil diesel component is a new challenge to face.

Based on strong R&D programs, dedicated to Vegetable Oil conversion, Axens has developed a dedicated Prime-D™ offer for Vegetable Oil co-processing, in combination with Gasoil streams, to help clients optimize the use of their HDT units.

Axens has a long experience with the processing of renewable feedstocks:

Through its cumulated 25 years of R&D experience in lipid feedstock processing, for the production of first generation of Biodiesel (technology pioneered by Axens, with the Esterfip/Esterfip-H suite)
Axens is the licensor of the well-known Vegan® technology, which is a commercially available process for the production of renewable drop-in fuels (Diesel or Jet) from 100% lipid sources, using HDT technology.

Enhance the production of blended drop-in biofuels

Commercial Bulletin

Related Offer

Modular Unit Catalyst Protection Systems

Catalysts

Middle Distillates & Naphtha Hydrotreating Catalysts

Axens’ portfolio has a complete, high performance range of hydrotreating catalysts allowing for increasingly more difficult feedstock to be processed without cycle penalty.

Gradings

Arsenic Management

Arsenic is by far the most severe poison for Catalysts. Arsenic maximum allowable content on hydroprocessing catalysts during operation, depending upon the service, is in the range of hundreds of wppm.

Gradings

Gums & Polymer formation control

Pressure drop induced by gum formation is frequently encountered in unit processing some cracked feedstock derived from various conversion processes. The olefins and mainly the diolefins contained in these streams tend to polymerize and get oxidized forming a crust which deposit in the upper layers of the reactor.

Gradings

Silica Management

Silicon is a well-known widespread poison for hydroprocessing catalysts. The main contributor to silicon is the Delayed Coker. In addition, there is a general tendency in the oil production industry to use more silicon-based flow improvers.

Gradings

Speciality Bed Topping

In Hydroprocessing reactors, pressure drop is mainly induced by particulates build-up and gum formations. Pressure drop not only affect the capacity of the unit but can also have detrimental impact on the distribution.

Adsorbents

Sulfur Removal Adsorbents for Oil, Gas & Petrochemicals

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), COS, mercaptans or sulfides are common contaminants that must be removed from various gases and liquids such as natural gas, NGLs, LPGs, cracked gases, olefins or biogas.

Furnaces

Furnace(s) is a key equipment considering the need for optimal operation of unit. Thanks to an extensive design experience with feedbacks from operators and a complete knowledge of this process, Heurtey Petrochem Solutions provides an unparalleled service such as these following features:

High fuel efficiency (94%+) depending on fuel S level
Fully Modularized
Lowest Emission (95%+ reduction with emission reduction technology)
Optimized Plot Plan

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Consulting, Studies & Audits

Axens offers a customized approach, including tailored studies, audits and consulting services, covering technical and operational challenges.

Unit Revamps & Retrofits

You face many challenges, which include operating in a safe, reliable and environmentally sound manner while responding to changing markets dynamics.

Customer Training

Designed for all Axens technologies, dedicated to operators & engineers, Axens offers customized training solutions to all our licensees, covering the whole range of Axens technologies.

Technical Support & Performance Management

Axens is fully committed to be your partner and provide assistance and support during your project lifecycle, from conception to start-up & running operations.

Digital Services & Applications

Axens' digital platform combines real-time data and digital solutions to optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and lower costs while maximizing profitability. By delivering actionable insights and detailed performance reports, it enhances asset operation and performance for smarter, more efficient outcomes.

Reactor Internals

In today’s complex environment, refineries and petrochemical plants around the world need advanced solutions to reach operational excellence. In units featuring fixed-bed reactors, the use of high-efficiency reactor internals are essential to help achieve this goal.

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Upcoming Events

13 Apr - 17 Apr

Conference

Cape Town, South Africa - UTC+2

5 days

Speakers

Sophie CARON

Sales West Europe/Africa

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ARDA WEEK 2026

ARDA Week takes place from 13 to 17 April 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association.
The event brings together refiners, distributors, regulators, and industry leaders from across Africa to discuss downstream energy issues and future strategies.
It features plenary sessions, expanded exhibition areas, networking activities, and high-level discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration and innovation in the African energy sector.