While the world-wide distillates demand increases, the distillate quality is also improving driven by the increasingly stringent specifications. The ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is the current focus. Other fuel qualitiesy, such as cetane, and density, and cold flow property, are part of matrix for the production of premium diesel fuels. Diesel fuel specification is complex; it could be country-specific, regional or seasonal, particularly for the cold flow property.

The ExxonMobil's MIDW™ pProcess, combined with advanced hydrotreating technology, can provide refineries an attractive option to increase ULSD production with an excellent cold flow property. The MIDWTM process chemistry is simple but novel; it uses a proprietary bi-functional molecular sieve for isomerization and shape-selectivity to maintain high diesel yields while improving cold flow property.

The catalyst development has leaded to a very flexible MIDWTM process; it can be standing-alone or combined with advanced desulfurization/hydrocracking technology to produce high yields of low-cloud diesels from a wide range of feed stocks. The paper will focus on commercial MIDW experiences on these process configurations to illustrate the technology flexibility. In addition, other innovations associated with the MIDW technology will be discussed.