Catalytic Dewaxing
Catalytic dewaxing is used in base oil production to isomerise straight-chain paraffins to reduce cold flow properties while maximising yield. To get the best base oil manufacturing results, refiners need expertise across the entire value chain. Shell Catalysts & Technologies is uniquely positioned to design, deploy, and support these solutions.
Meet Demand for Group II and III Base Oils
There are two forms of dewaxing processes: solvent and catalytic. Traditionally, solvent dewaxing and the production of Group I base oils were most common. However, solvent-based plants have seen falling demands. As a result, many solvent-based plants are closing.
Demand for catalytic dewaxing and Group II and Group III base oils, on the other hand, is rising.
Dewaxing catalysts produce base oils which have a higher quality and larger yield.
Group II and III base oils are the product of a long and technically intricate system of pretreating, dewaxing, and hydrofinishing processes. In order to achieve the best possible results, technology partners need to have expertise across the entire value chain. Otherwise, refiners may struggle with meeting base oil specifications and performance standards.
The Shell Diesel Dewaxing process improves cold flow properties by selective hydroisomerisation and hydrocracking of normal and slightly branched-paraffins.
Why Base Oil Dewaxing
Demand for Group II/Group III base oils is anticipated to increase by greater than 30% within 10 years on a global scale. Although there are some regional variabilities, the overall global trend remains steady.1
Due to the required amount of refinement and severity of operations, pretreat (hydrotreating/hydrocracking), dewaxing, and hydrofinishing are all required to meet Group II/Group III base oils specifications.
Catalytic dewaxing selectively isomerises and/or cracks straight-chain paraffins. Isomerisation reduces pour point while maintaining molecular weight and boiling range. Therefore, base oils can flow at cold temperatures and not solidify. Cold flow properties such as cloud point, pour point, and CFPP are almost entirely determined by the presence of straight-chain paraffins, or 鈥榥鈥�-paraffins.
Additives (flow improvers) blended into base oils modify the wax crystallisation process by reducing the crystal size and/or the lattice formation, which significantly reduces pour point and CFPP. However, the cloud point cannot be significantly reduced. Dewaxing is the only effective way to reduce all the cold flow properties and produce high-quality base oils.
Expert Technology Partners Across Your Value Chain
Shell Catalysts & Technologies is uniquely positioned to design, deploy, operate, and advise on the usage of dewaxing catalysts for the production of premium base oils.
Shell Catalysts & Technologies has merged three longstanding organisations to provide integrated value to third-parties. Our partners benefit from wide-ranging experience in designing, deploying, and operating refinery technologies and catalyst solutions.
Catalytic dewaxing falls under Shell Catalysts & Technologies鈥� area of expertise. Our implementations of base oil manufacturing systems leverage cutting-edge design to keep upfront fixed costs low. Our new generation dewaxing catalysts optimise viscosity, decrease the product鈥檚 haze, and approach maximum yield opportunities. In some situations, we also mitigate trading risk by Shell Lubricants purchasing some of the base oils after production.
