1. Hydrogenation
Hydrogenation involves the addition of hydrogen to unsaturated bonds (double or triple bonds) in the presence of a catalyst, typically a metal such as palladium, platinum, or nickel. This process is widely used in the food industry to produce saturated fats from unsaturated oils and in the chemical industry to create various chemicals and intermediates.
2. Hydrotreating
Hydrotreating is used in the petroleum industry to remove contaminants from crude oil fractions. Catalysts, often composed of molybdenum, cobalt, or nickel, facilitate the reaction where hydrogen reacts with contaminants like sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen, converting them into hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and water, respectively.
3. Hydrocracking
Hydrocracking is a severe form of hydrotreating where large hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller, more valuable products like gasoline and diesel. It combines catalytic cracking with hydrogenation, utilizing bifunctional catalysts that possess both acidic and hydrogenation-active sites.
