Thermodynamic aspects of aromatic hydrogenation

Aromatic hydrogenation is one of the important classes of hydrotreating reactions and its thermodynamics play a significant role in achieving the product specifications. This article comprehensively reviews the available experimental thermodynamic data as well as the methods to estimate the data for aromatic hydrogenation. The data indicate that aromatic hydrogenation reactions are thermodynamically more favorable at about 200 degrees C-250 degrees C and moderate pressures (3-5 MPa). Industrially, however, these reactions are carried out at 300 degrees C-375 degrees C to have reasonable kinetics. Hence there is a need for highly active catalysts, which can facilitate significant kinetics of hydrotreating reactions at around 200 degrees C-250 degrees C.