Hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) Reactor

DWSIM Plus

Available with a DWSIM Plus (Patreon) subscription.

Shortcut Hydrodesulfurizer. Applies a pseudo-nth-order kinetic to the mass-weighted inlet sulfur content (from pseudocomponent-level WtPctSulfur) to compute conversion and H2 consumption. Optionally applies HDN kinetics to nitrogen. Simplification: the outlet stream is a flow-through copy of the feed. Contaminant reduction is reported via Results rather than mutated into downstream compound records. Metals (Ni/V/Fe/Na) are not removed here (they poison catalysts) — use a guard-bed / HDM for those.

DWSIM.UnitOperations.Refining.HDS.HDSUnitOperation
Assembly DWSIM.UnitOperations.Refining.dll · Object ← BaseClass ← UnitOpBaseClass ← HDSUnitOperation

At a glance

Port	Index	Connected in the example
Inlet, material	0	Diesel
Inlet, material	1	Treat-gas
Outlet, material	0	ULSD
Outlet, material	1	Sour-offgas

Example

This code runs on every build of this site, and the output below is what it printed.

Python

fs = Flowsheet.Create("HDSExample").WithCompounds("Hydrogen", "Hydrogen sulfide", "Ammonia", "Methane")
# Diesel as three pseudocomponents: name, NBP, SG, MW, aromatics mass fraction, S wt%, N wt%
cuts = [("Diesel-1", 503.0, 0.82, 170.0, 0.20, 0.6, 0.005),
        ("Diesel-2", 563.0, 0.85, 220.0, 0.25, 1.1, 0.012),
        ("Diesel-3", 623.0, 0.87, 280.0, 0.30, 1.7, 0.025)]
for name, nbp, sg, mw, xa, s, n in cuts:
    CompoundExtensions.WithPseudoComponent(fs, name, Q.Kelvin(nbp), sg, mw,
                                           paraffinFrac=0.5, naphtenicFrac=0.5 - xa, aromaticFrac=xa)
fs.WithPropertyPackage(PropertyPackages.PengRobinson)

feed = fs.AddMaterialStream("Diesel").At(Q.Celsius(340.0), Q.Bar(45.0))
for name, *_ in cuts:
    feed.SetCompoundMassFlow(name, 10.0)                  # kg/s each, 30 kg/s in total
# Sulfur and nitrogen ride on each pseudocomponent of the feed stream
for name, nbp, sg, mw, xa, s, n in cuts:
    comp = feed.Object.Phases[0].Compounds[name]
    ContaminantKeys.Set(comp, ContaminantKeys.WtPctSulfur, s)
    ContaminantKeys.Set(comp, ContaminantKeys.WtPctNitrogen, n)

treat_gas = (fs.AddMaterialStream("Treat-gas").At(Q.Celsius(60.0), Q.Bar(45.0))
             .SetCompoundMolarFlow("Hydrogen", 900.0)       # mol/s
             .SetCompoundMolarFlow("Methane", 60.0))
product = fs.AddMaterialStream("ULSD")
offgas = fs.AddMaterialStream("Sour-offgas")

hds = (fs.AddHDS("HDS-1")
       .WithReactorTemperature(Q.Celsius(350.0))
       .WithReactorPressure(Q.Bar(45.0))
       .WithH2PartialPressure(Q.Bar(38.0))
       .WithLHSV(1.5)
       .WithReactionOrder(1.5)
       .WithArrhenius(8.0e3, 110000.0)      # k0 and activation energy in J/mol
       .WithEnableHDN(True)
       .ConnectFeed(feed, 0).ConnectFeed(treat_gas, 1)
       .ConnectProduct(product, 0).ConnectProduct(offgas, 1))

fs.AutoLayout()
fs.Solve()

r = hds.Object.Results
print(f"Sulfur in feed     = {r.Inlet.SulfurWtPct:.3f} wt%")
print(f"Sulfur in product  = {r.Outlet.SulfurWtPct * 1e4:.0f} ppmw ({r.SulfurConversion * 100.0:.1f} % HDS)")
print(f"Nitrogen removal   = {r.NitrogenConversion * 100.0:.1f} %")
print(f"H2S produced       = {r.H2SProducedMolPerS * 34.08 * 3.6:.0f} kg/h")
print(f"H2 consumption     = {r.H2ConsumptionKgPerS * 3600.0:.0f} kg/h")

Output

Sulfur in feed     = 1.133 wt%
Sulfur in product  = 202 ppmw (98.2 % HDS)
Nitrogen removal   = 99.5 %
H2S produced       = 1278 kg/h
H2 consumption     = 390 kg/h

DWSIM 10.2.11.0, generated 2026-10-08.

Properties

IDs accepted by GetPropertyValue, SetPropertyValue, the sensitivity analysis, the optimizer, the Adjust block and dynamic events. Units are SI; pass another unit system to GetPropertyValue to get them converted.

ID	Name	Unit (SI)	Input
Reactor Temperature		K	yes
Reactor Pressure		Pa	yes
H2 Partial Pressure		Pa	yes
LHSV (1/h)		1/h	yes
Reaction Order		NF	yes
Activation Energy (kJ/mol)		kJ/mol	yes
Enable HDN		NF	yes
Feed Mass Flow		kg/s	result
Feed Molar Flow		mol/s	result
Sulfur Conversion		NF	result
Nitrogen Conversion		NF	result
Mercaptan Conversion		NF	result
Inlet Sulfur (wt%)		wt%	result
Outlet Sulfur (wt%)		wt%	result
Inlet Nitrogen (wt%)		wt%	result
Outlet Nitrogen (wt%)		wt%	result
Sulfur Removed		kg/s	result
Nitrogen Removed		kg/s	result
H2 Consumption		kg/s	result
H2S Produced (mol/s)		NF	result
NH3 Produced (mol/s)		NF	result
Feed xP		NF	result
Feed xN		NF	result
Feed xA		NF	result

Learn more

• User guide

  ---

  • Hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) Reactor

• FluentAPI

  ---

  • Refining.HDSBuilder

API members

Public members declared by this class. Inherited members are documented on the base classes.

Constructors

HDSUnitOperation()

C#VB.NET

public HDSUnitOperation()

Public Sub New()

Properties

ComponentDescription: Gets or sets the CAPE-OPEN component description for this unit operation.

Gets or sets the CAPE-OPEN component description for this unit operation.

C#VB.NET

public override string ComponentDescription { get; set; }

Public Overrides Property ComponentDescription As String

Config: Gets or sets the HDS configuration: reactor temperature, pressure and H2 partial pressure, LHSV, sulfur kinetics...

Gets or sets the HDS configuration: reactor temperature, pressure and H2 partial pressure, LHSV, sulfur kinetics (order, pre-exponential factor, activation energy, H2 pressure order), mercaptan conversion, the optional HDN kinetics, H2 consumption factors, aromatic saturation, and the compound names used for H2, H2S and NH3. Saved with the flowsheet.

C#VB.NET

public HDSConfiguration Config { get; set; }

Public Property Config As HDSConfiguration

IsRefining: Gets a value that is always true.

Gets a value that is always true. It marks this class as a refining unit operation, so the flowsheet object palettes (which read it by reflection) list it under the Refining category.

C#VB.NET

public bool IsRefining { get; }

Public ReadOnly Property IsRefining As Boolean

MobileCompatible: Gets a value indicating whether this unit operation is compatible with mobile interfaces.

Gets a value indicating whether this unit operation is compatible with mobile interfaces. Always false.

C#VB.NET

public override bool MobileCompatible { get; }

Public Overrides ReadOnly Property MobileCompatible As Boolean

ObjectClass: Gets the simulation object class category (Reactors).

Gets the simulation object class category (Reactors).

C#VB.NET

public override SimulationObjectClass ObjectClass { get; }

Public Overrides Property ObjectClass As SimulationObjectClass

Prefix: Gets the default name prefix for this unit operation ('HDS-').

Gets the default name prefix for this unit operation ("HDS-").

C#VB.NET

public string Prefix { get; }

Public ReadOnly Property Prefix As String

Methods

Calculate(object): Calculates the object.

Calculates the object.

Parameter	Type	Description
args	Object

C#VB.NET

public override void Calculate(object args = null)

Public Overrides Sub Calculate(args As Object = Nothing)

CloneXML(): Creates a deep copy of this object by round-tripping through XML serialization.

Creates a deep copy of this object by round-tripping through XML serialization.

C#VB.NET

public override object CloneXML()

Public Overrides Function CloneXML() As Object

CloseEditForm(): Closes the editor of this object, if it is open.

Closes the editor of this object, if it is open.

C#VB.NET

public override void CloseEditForm()

Public Overrides Sub CloseEditForm()

CreateConnectors(): Creates the graphic connector definitions on the flowsheet: two material inlets on the left edge ('Feed'...

Creates the graphic connector definitions on the flowsheet: two material inlets on the left edge ("Feed", "Hydrogen") and two material outlets on the right edge ("Treated Product", "Sour Offgas"). The energy connector is disabled.

C#VB.NET

public void CreateConnectors()

Public Sub CreateConnectors()

DeCalculate(): Decalculates the object.

Decalculates the object.

C#VB.NET

public override void DeCalculate()

Public Overrides Sub DeCalculate()

DisplayEditForm(): Opens the editor of this object.

Opens the editor of this object. A host that has no editor for it does nothing.

C#VB.NET

public override void DisplayEditForm()

Public Overrides Sub DisplayEditForm()

Draw(object): Draws the unit operation icon on the given SkiaSharp canvas.

Draws the unit operation icon on the given SkiaSharp canvas. Draw mode 2 uses the embedded PNG image (falling back to the vector icon if the image cannot be loaded), draw mode 1 draws the vector icon as a silhouette, and any other mode draws the vector icon.

Parameter	Type	Description
g	Object	The SkiaSharp canvas (SKCanvas).

C#VB.NET

public void Draw(object g)

Public Sub Draw(g As Object)

GetDisplayDescription(): Returns the description string for this unit operation type.

Returns the description string for this unit operation type.

C#VB.NET

public override string GetDisplayDescription()

Public Overrides Function GetDisplayDescription() As String

GetDisplayName(): Returns the display name for this unit operation type.

Returns the display name for this unit operation type.

C#VB.NET

public override string GetDisplayName()

Public Overrides Function GetDisplayName() As String

GetIconBitmapBytes(): Returns the raw bytes of the icon image for this unit operation.

Returns the raw bytes of the icon image for this unit operation.

C#VB.NET

public override byte[] GetIconBitmapBytes()

Public Overrides Function GetIconBitmapBytes() As Byte()

GetPreferredGraphicObjectHeight(): Returns the preferred height of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

Returns the preferred height of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

C#VB.NET

public override double GetPreferredGraphicObjectHeight()

Public Overrides Function GetPreferredGraphicObjectHeight() As Double

GetPreferredGraphicObjectWidth(): Returns the preferred width of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

Returns the preferred width of the flowsheet graphic object, in pixels.

C#VB.NET

public override double GetPreferredGraphicObjectWidth()

Public Overrides Function GetPreferredGraphicObjectWidth() As Double

GetProperties(PropertyType): Get a list of all properties of the object.

Get a list of all properties of the object.

Parameter	Type	Description
proptype	PropertyType	Type of the property.

C#VB.NET

public override string[] GetProperties(PropertyType proptype)

Public Overrides Function GetProperties(proptype As PropertyType) As String()

GetPropertyUnit(string, IUnitsOfMeasure): Gets the units of a property.

Gets the units of a property.

Parameter	Type	Description
prop	String	Property identifier.
su	IUnitsOfMeasure	Units system to use. Null to use the default (SI) system.

C#VB.NET

public override string GetPropertyUnit(string prop, IUnitsOfMeasure su)

Public Overrides Function GetPropertyUnit(prop As String, su As IUnitsOfMeasure) As String

GetPropertyValue(string, IUnitsOfMeasure): Returns the value of a named property, converting from SI to the current unit system.

Returns the value of a named property, converting from SI to the current unit system. Falls back to extra properties if the property is not found in the base implementation.

Parameter	Type	Description
prop	String	The property identifier string.
su	IUnitsOfMeasure	Optional units-of-measure system used for conversion; uses the shared SI system when Nothing.

C#VB.NET

public override object GetPropertyValue(string prop, IUnitsOfMeasure su)

Public Overrides Function GetPropertyValue(prop As String, su As IUnitsOfMeasure) As Object

LoadData(List<XElement>): Restores the unit operation state from a list of XML elements previously produced by SaveData.

Restores the unit operation state from a list of XML elements previously produced by SaveData.

Parameter	Type	Description
data	List<XElement>	The list of XElement objects containing serialized state.

C#VB.NET

public override bool LoadData(List<XElement> data)

Public Overrides Function LoadData(data As List(Of XElement)) As Boolean

PopulateEditorPanel(object): Populates the cross-platform editor panel with controls.

Populates the cross-platform editor panel with controls. Only the Avalonia editor panel (AvaloniaEditorPanel) is filled; other container types are left unchanged.

Parameter	Type	Description
ctner	Object	The editor panel (layout container) to populate.

C#VB.NET

public void PopulateEditorPanel(object ctner)

Public Sub PopulateEditorPanel(ctner As Object)

ReturnInstance(string): Creates and returns a new instance for deserialization.

Creates and returns a new instance for deserialization.

Parameter	Type	Description
typename	String	The type name to instantiate. Not used; a new HDSUnitOperation is always returned.

C#VB.NET

public object ReturnInstance(string typename)

Public Function ReturnInstance(typename As String) As Object

SaveData(): Serializes the unit operation state to a list of XML elements for persistence.

Serializes the unit operation state to a list of XML elements for persistence.

C#VB.NET

public override List<XElement> SaveData()

Public Overrides Function SaveData() As List(Of XElement)

SetPropertyValue(string, object, IUnitsOfMeasure): Sets the value of a property.

Sets the value of a property.

Parameter	Type	Description
prop	String	Property identifier.
propval	Object	Property value to set at the specified units.
su	IUnitsOfMeasure	Units system to use. Null to use the default (SI) system.

C#VB.NET

public override bool SetPropertyValue(string prop, object propval, IUnitsOfMeasure su)

Public Overrides Function SetPropertyValue(prop As String, propval As Object, su As IUnitsOfMeasure) As Boolean

UpdateEditForm(): Redraws the editor of this object with the current values, if it is open.

Redraws the editor of this object with the current values, if it is open.

C#VB.NET

public override void UpdateEditForm()

Public Overrides Sub UpdateEditForm()

Fields

_editorForm: The classic (WinForms) editor window open for this unit operation, if any.

The classic (WinForms) editor window open for this unit operation, if any. Not saved with the flowsheet.

C#VB.NET

public FormEditorHDS _editorForm

Public _editorForm As FormEditorHDS