Performance study of Ni, Co, and Mo catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 and HZSM5 in HDS reactions of mixed naphtha

Ni/gamma-Al2O3, Ni/HZSM5, Co/HZSM5, Mo/HZSM5, and Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized by the wetness impregnation technique. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen physisorption methods were used for characterizing the prepared catalysts. The activity of the synthesized catalysts was studied by passing the mixed naphtha and H-2 over a fixed bed reactor with sulfiding process prior to HDS reactions at ambient pressure, 285 degrees C, LHSV of 5.8 h(-1), and H-2/HC volumetric ratio of 94. Ni, Co, and Mo with mass percent of 3.5 wt% were loaded on laboratory-synthesized gamma-Al2O3 and purchased HZSM5 supports. For promoted Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst, 3.5 wt% Ni and 17 wt% Mo were impregnated on laboratory synthesized gamma-alumina support, similar to the commercial industrial catalyst. Ultimately, the HDS reactions over the synthesized Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3 decreased the total sulfur content of mixed naphtha from 430 to 25 ppm wt, as a synthesized catalyst with the best reactor performance and acceptable long-term stability.

Automated summary

Different catalysts were synthesized through the wetness impregnation technique and characterized using various methods. These catalysts showed varying catalytic activities in HDS reactions. It was found in the experiment that the Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst exhibited the best reactor performance and long-term stability.