Hydrotreating and Hydrocracking Technology | 17th – 21st November 2025

Course Overview

This 5-day advanced course explores the core principles and engineering design aspects of hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes in petroleum refining. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of mass, hydrogen, and energy balances, the state-of-the-art in material and energy integration, and the fundamentals of hydro-conversion technologies. Focus is placed on the chemistry, kinetics, catalysts, and operating conditions essential for designing efficient hydroprocessing units. The course also addresses advanced techniques, reactor technologies, and process optimization to enhance product quality and operational efficiency in hydrotreating and hydrocracking units.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental principles of mass, hydrogen, and energy balance in refineries.
2. Design and optimize hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes, including key process flow schemes.
3. Analyse process chemistry, kinetics, and catalysts for hydroprocessing applications.
4. Apply advanced techniques for hydroprocessing of various petroleum products, including desulphurisation and clean diesel technology.
5. Evaluate process integration opportunities for improved efficiency and energy savings in hydrotreating and hydrocracking units.
6. Understand reactor design considerations and troubleshoot common issues in hydroprocessing operations

Target Audience

• Process engineers and designers in petroleum refining.
• Operations managers and supervisors involved in refining and hydroprocessing units.
• Maintenance engineers in charge of hydroprocessing equipment.
• Technical managers responsible for refining process optimization and energy management.
• Engineers and specialists in catalyst technology and reactor design.

Daily Agenda

Day One: Introduction – The Basics

• Fundamentals of mass/hydrogen and energy balance in refineries.
• State-of-the-art material and energy integration in refining processes.
• Overview of petroleum refinery processing: Downstream crude oil refining.
• Product specifications and characteristics of refined products.
• Process design/optimization strategies and heat integration schemes.
• Environmental and economic considerations in refining.

Day Two: HydroTreating – Fundamentals and Principles

• Introduction to hydro-conversion processes and hydrogen sources.
• Basic process flow schemes for hydrotreating units.
• Process chemistry and reaction kinetics in hydrotreating.
• Catalysts used in hydrotreating processes: Types and roles.
• Heat of reactions and its impact on process design.
• Operating conditions, principles, and design considerations for hydrotreating.
• Hydrogen requirements and management in hydrotreating.

Day Three: HydroTreating – Advanced Processing

• Reactor design for hydrotreating processes.
• Application of hydrotreating to naphtha, middle distillate, gas oil, and atmospheric residue desulphurization.
• Saturation of benzene in gasoline: Process considerations.
• Material and energy savings improvements for hydrotreating processes.
• Clean diesel hydrotreating process technology: Critical issues and challenges.
• Case studies of advanced hydrotreating applications.

Day Four: Hydrocracking – Fundamentals and Principles

• Overview of feedstocks and products in hydrocracking.
• Process chemistry and kinetics in hydrocracking.
• Catalyst deactivation and regeneration in hydrocracking processes.
• Product quality and yields: Impact of process configuration, catalyst type, and operating parameters.
• Reactor technologies for hydrocracking.
• Single-stage hydrocracking process technology: Design and operational considerations.

Day Five: Hydrocracking – Advanced Processing

• Two-stage hydrocracking process technology: Overview and benefits.
• Process design features in two-stage hydrocracking systems.
• Hydrogen balance and consumption in hydrocracking units.
• Scope for process integration improvements in hydrocracking operations.
• Hydrogen balance/integration and management in hydrocracking.
• Steam/methane reforming for hydrogen production and integration.

Why Choose this Course?

This course provides a comprehensive and practical understanding of hydrotreating and hydrocracking process technologies, which are essential for improving product quality and efficiency in modern refineries. By delving into the principles of process design, optimization, and energy integration, participants will acquire the necessary skills to design, operate, and troubleshoot hydroprocessing units effectively. With a focus on advanced techniques and case studies, the course equips professionals with the knowledge to enhance refinery operations and meet environmental and economic challenges in the industry.

Learning Outcome

Upon completing this course, participants will:

1. Design and optimise hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes in refinery settings.
2. Analyse process flow schemes and determine the appropriate catalysts for various hydroprocessing applications.
3. Implement advanced hydrotreating techniques, including desulphurisation and clean diesel technology.
4. Evaluate hydrogen management strategies and apply process integration improvements for efficiency.
5. Apply reactor design principles and troubleshoot common issues in hydroprocessing operations