Abstract: Sulfiding, the process of activating hydroprocessing catalysts in refineries, traditionally relied on dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). While effective, DMDS presents safety, handling, and environmental challenges. Di-tert-butyl polysulfide (DTBPS) emerges as a superior alternative, offering increased safety due to a higher flashpoint, a less offensive odor, nonregulated transportation, and reduced SOx emissions. Pilot studies confirm that DTBPS performs on par with DMDS while enabling quicker sulfiding at lower temperatures. Despite minor differences in sulfur content, DTBPS is endorsed by catalyst manufacturers as a safer, efficient, and environmentally favorable sulfiding agent.

Keywords: #Sulfiding, #hydroprocessingcatalysts, #DTBPS, #DMDS, #TBPS, #refinerysafety, #SOxemissions, #catalystactivation.