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Research paper : Development of highly-active hydrodesulfurization catalyst for sulfur-free diesel production (Y. Yoshimura et al.)−167 Synthesiology - English edition Vol.1 No.3 (2009) 2001; leader of the Hydrotreating catalysis Team, Research Center for New Fuels and Vehicle Technology, since 2007; involved in a wide range of research activities from basic to applied research on energy and environment-related catalysts, particularly those for clean liquid transportation fuels, since joining the Institute; aims at frontrunner research as far as possible; awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award in 2003 and the AIST President’s Award in 2006; involved mainly in catalyst design, preparation, joint research, and patent preparation in this research project.Makoto TobaCompleted M.A. in Chemistry at the Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, in 1985; joined the National Chemical Laboratory for Industry, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, in 1985; received Dr.Eng. from the University of Tokyo in 1994; senior research scientist at AIST since 2001; principal researcher, Hydrotreating catalysis Team, Research Center for New Fuels and Vehicle Technology, since 2007; conducted research on petrochemical catalysts such as those for chemical industry feedstock for natural fats after the establishment of AIST, and involved in research on catalysts for clean liquid transportation fuels; awarded the AIST President’s Award in 2006; involved mainly in analysis of catalyst structures, joint research, and patent preparation in this research project.Discussions with Reviewers1 Features of this researchComment (Koichi Mizuno)This research work is highly evaluated, since the project is focused on catalyst performance which is one of the factors for improving desulfurization of diesel fuels. However, the desulfurization technologies are wider, and beside catalyst, there are many other improving processes such as distillation of crude oil and so forth. I, therefore, recommend the authors to clarify the potential of technical options of desulfurization processes and to explain the reason(s) for emphasizing the catalyst process.Based on the above reasons, I felt some narrow viewpoint in the original first manuscript describing “However, since sulfur-free technologies until now has been solved only by replacement of deactivated catalyst with fresh catalyst, higher performance of desulfurization catalysts are highly desired.” To make ordinary people understand more easily existing sulfur-free technology (sulfur content <10 ppm), I recommend the authors to describe (1) technological options other than catalyst improvement, (2) disadvantages of the other technologies, and (3) the reason(s) for improving catalyst performance.Answer (Yuji Yoshimura)As you have pointed out, in order to produce sulfur-free diesel using an oil refinery facility for producing conventional low-sulfur diesel (sulfur content < 50 ppm), integrated measures are required, including equipment modifications such as the installation of additional reactors, a switch to a high-performance catalyst, the use of an easy-to-desulfurize fraction as the feedstock, the use of reaction conditions to facilitate the hydrodesulfurization reaction, and a change in the blending process for the diesel blending stocks. However, issues arise, such as the increased capital investment cost for revamping facilities and the need for adjustment of the oil product balance due to changes in the feedstock and processes. The switch to a high-performance catalyst is the most economical measure, and [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]R. Candia, H. Topsøe and B.S. Clausen: Proceedings of the 9th Ibero-American Symposium on Catalysis, Lisbon, 211 (1984).PEC Satte Laboratory: 2001 Annual Report on Research and Development for Reducing Contaminants in Petroleum Refining Commissioned by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan Petroleum Energy Center (2002) (in Japanese). T. Fujikawa, M. Kato, N. Nakajima, M. Hashimoto, K. Kiriyama and S. Shinoda: Development of hydrodesulfurization catalyst supported on alumina-based support incorporating acidic function, 18th Annual Technical Meeting (2004), Japan Petroleum Energy Center (in Japanese).Y. Yoshimura, M. Toba, S. Kanda and Y. Miki: Hydrodesulfurization of straight-run gas oil by a single-stage reaction using a NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst, Proceedings of 52nd Annual, Japan Petroleum Institute, 100 (2003) (in Japanese).Japan Patent, 4061380.Japan Patent, Application No. 2004-344725.Y. Yoshimura, N. Matsubayashi, T. Sato, H. Shimada and A. Nishijima: Molybdate catalysts prepared by a novel impregnation method—Effect of citric acid as a ligand on the catalytic activities, Applied Catalysis A: General, 79, 145-159 (1991).K. Hiroshima, T. Mochizuki, T. Honma, T. Shimizu and M. Yamada: High HDS activity of Co-Mo/Al2O3 modified by some chelates and their surface fine structures, Applied Surface Science, 121/122, 433-436 (1997).T. Ida: Diesel Hydrodesulfurization Technology, 12th CCIC Technical Meeting (2004) (in Japanese).S. Hatanaka: Selective hydrodesulfurization of FCC gasoline, Nisseki Mitsubishi Review, 44(1), 24 (2002) (in Japanese).U.S. Patent 7393807.PCT/JP2006/303801.Received original manuscript May 19, 2008Revisions received August 21, 2008Accepted August 21, 2008AuthorsYuji YoshimuraCompleted Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the Graduate School of Engineering, University of Kyoto, in 1980; research fellow at the Graduate School of Engineering, University of Kyoto, in 1980; joined the National Chemical Laboratory for Industry, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, in 1981; research group leader at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) since Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd. (currently, JGC Catalysts and Chemicals Ltd.). We would like to thank them. The developed hydrodesulfurization catalyst was the fruit of more than 40 years of research, which was initiated at the former Industrial Laboratory of Tokyo. We would like to thank the senior members of the former institutes, as well as Dr. Akio Nishijima, Mr. Toshio Sato, Dr. Hiromichi Shimada, Dr. Nobuyuki Matsubayashi, and Mr. Motoharu Imamura of the former Nishijima Laboratory.References(13)−

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