Topsoe's graded bed technology 

Topsoe’s graded bed technology creates significant performance improvements, can in some cases extend the operating cycles from a few months to several years.

Fouling of the catalyst bed reduces the void volume causing increased pressure drop, channelling and hot spots. The pressure drop will increase exponentially and cause unscheduled shutdowns. These issues can be minimised by applying Topsoe graded bed catalyst systems.

Graded bed catalyst portfolio

Our extensive graded bed catalyst portfolio comprises material in four basic categories:

• high void fraction, shape-optimised topping or hold-down materials
• particulate traps for pick-up of iron sulphide, corrosion products, silicon, etc.
• high void fraction, ring-shaped catalysts in different sizes with different functionalities and activities
• speciality catalyst traps to pick up metals and poisons, protecting the catalyst from rapid deactivation
  

To ensure an efficient utilisation of the bulk catalyst, it is important to eliminate pressure drop build-up, catalyst poisoning and to secure good distribution of the  oil and H2 in the catalyst bed.

Controlling pressure drop build-up

Topsoe has 20 different products available to combat reactor bed fouling and control pressure drop build-up, which may be applied in combination, thus ensuring the flexibility to address all potential fouling problems in the hydrotreating reactor, as one graded bed system does not work for all hydrotreating applications.

Topsoe's graded bed solutions are the most widespread throughout the refining industry and have been used in well over 1,500 applications.