CoMo/MgO–Al2O3 supported catalysts: An alternative approach to prepare HDS catalysts

Three different supports were prepared with distinct magnesia–alumina ratio x = MgO/(MgO + Al₂O₃) = 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5. Synthesized supports were impregnated with Co and Mo salts by the incipient wetness method along with 1,2-cyclohexanediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (CyDTA) as chelating agent. Catalysts were characterized by BET surface area, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX and HRTEM (STEM) spectroscopy techniques. The catalysts were evaluated for the thiophene hydrodesulfurization reaction and its activity results are discussed in terms of using chelating agent during the preparation of catalyst. A comparison of the activity between uncalcined and calcined catalysts was made and a higher activity was obtained with calcined MgO–Al₂O₃ supported catalysts. Two different MgO containing calcined catalysts were tested at micro-plant with industrial feedstocks of heavy Maya crude oil. The effect of support composition was observed for hydrodesulfurization (HDS), hydrodemetallization (HDM), hydrodeasphaltenization (HDAs) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) reactions, which were reported at temperature of 380 °C, pressure of 7 MPa and space-velocity of 1.0 h⁻¹ during 204 h of time-on-stream (TOS).     

Catalytic activities of Co(Ni)Mo/TiO2–Al2O3 catalysts in gasoil and thiophene HDS and pyridine HDN: effect of the TiO2–Al2O3 composition

The effect of the TiO₂–Al₂O₃ mixed oxide support composition on the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of gasoil and the simultaneous HDS and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of gasoil+pyridine was studied over two series of CoMo and NiMo catalysts. The intrinsic activities for gasoil HDS and pyridine HDN were significantly increased by increasing the amount of TiO₂ into the support, and particularly over rich- and pure-TiO₂-based catalysts. It is suggested that the increase in activity be due to an improvement in reducing and sulfiding of molybdena over TiO₂. The inhibiting effect of pyridine on gasoil HDS was found to be similar for all the catalysts, i.e., was independent of the support composition. The ranking of the catalysts for the gasoil HDS test differed from that obtained for the thiophene test at different hydrogen pressures. In the case of gasoil HDS, the activity increases with TiO₂ content and large differences are observed between the catalysts supported on pure Al₂O₃ and pure TiO₂. In contrast, in the case of the thiophene test, the pure Al₂O₃-based catalyst appeared relatively more active than the catalysts supported on mixed oxides. Also, in the thiophene test the difference in intrinsic activity between the pure Al₂O₃-based catalyst appeared relatively more active than the catalysts supported on mixed oxides. Also in the thiophene test, the difference in intrinsic activity between the pure Al₂O₃- and pure TiO₂-based catalysts is relatively small and dependent on the H₂ pressure used. Such differences in activity trend among the gasoil and the thiophene tests are due to a different sensitivity of the catalysts (by different support or promoter) to the experimental conditions used. The results of the effect of the H₂ partial pressure on the thiophene HDS, and on the effect of H₂S concentration on gasoil HDS demonstrate the importance of these parameters, in addition to the nature of the reactant, to perform an adequate catalyst ranking.     

Pt–Ba–Al2O3 for NOx storage and reduction: Characterization of the dispersed species

Pt–Ba–Al₂O₃ active and selective for NO_x storage and selective reduction to N₂ has been prepared and tested. Characterization of the parent Al₂O₃, Pt–Al₂O₃ and Ba–Al₂O₃ materials, as well as of Pt–Ba–Al₂O₃ catalyst in the oxidized, reduced and sulphated state has been performed by FT-IR spectroscopy of low-temperature adsorbed carbon monoxide and of adsorbed acetonitrile. XRD, TEM and XPS analyses have also been performed. Evidence for the predominance of Ba species, which are highly dispersed on the alumina support surface, and may be carbonated or sulphated, has been provided. Competitive interaction of Pt and Ba species with the surface sites of alumina has also been found.     

Study of n-hexane isomerization on mixed Al2O3–ZrO2/SO4 catalysts

Mixed oxides of alumina and zirconia having a relative composition of 50, 80 and 100% Zr₂O were synthesized by means of sol–gel methods. The catalysts were sulfated with H₂SO₄ 1N, and were loaded with 0.3% Pt metal using the incipient wetness technique. The characterization of the physicochemical properties was carried out using XRD, N₂-adsorption at 78 K, and SEM. The catalytic properties of the Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ series were studied by means of dehydration of 2-propanol at 180°C and isomerization of n-hexane at 250°C, 1 atm. The sulfated solids presented a high surface acidity and a limited crystallinity, together with high activity for alcohol dehydration (i.e. 2-propanol). On the other hand, the Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ solid solutions (i.e. those having a 20–80% composition) turned out to be the most active ones for the isomerization of n-hexane.     

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis: effect of water on Co/Al2O3 catalysts and XAFS characterization of reoxidation phenomena

Both low loaded 15% Co/Al₂O₃ and more highly loaded 25% Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts are studied, in order to explore the impact of cluster size on the stability of the cobalt cluster to support-influenced reoxidation processes at high H₂O/CO ratios. XAFS and activity data suggest that there are two regions for the water effect: at lower H₂O/CO ratios water influences CO conversion by reversible kinetic effects while at higher H₂O/CO ratios cobalt re-oxidation processes occur. The latter regime where water was added at and above 25% are examined. Synthesis conditions were maintained constant while argon balancing gas was replaced by added water. Catalyst samples were withdrawn from the reactor during synthesis at different partial pressures of added water and cooled in the wax product under inert gas. The EXAFS results suggest that, unlike the smaller clusters on unpromoted and, especially noble-metal promoted, 15% Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts, the larger crystallites (>10 nm by chemisorption and XRD) on 25% Co/Al₂O₃ undergo oxidation by H₂O to CoO, most likely confined to the surface. The clusters are re-reduced when H₂O was switched off, and the activity displayed an important recovery.     

Enhanced activity of metal oxide-doped Ga2O3–Al2O3 for NO reduction by propene

Effect of additives, In₂O₃, SnO₂, CoO, CuO and Ag, on the catalytic performance of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ prepared by sol–gel method for the selective reduction of NO with propene in the presence of oxygen was studied. As for the reaction in the absence of H₂O, CoO, CuO and Ag showed good additive effect. When H₂O was added to the reaction gas, the activity of CoO-, CuO- and Ag-doped Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ was depressed considerably, while an intensifying effect of H₂O was observed for In₂O₃- and SnO₂-doped Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃. Of several metal oxide additives, In₂O₃-doped Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ showed the highest activity for NO reduction by propene in the presence of H₂O. Kinetic studies on NO reduction over In₂O₃–Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ revealed that the rate-determining step in the absence of H₂O is the reaction of NO₂ formed on Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ with C₃H₆-derived species, whereas that in the presence of H₂O is the formation of C₃H₆-derived species. We presumed the reason for the promotional effect of H₂O as follows: the rate for the formation of C₃H₆-derived species in the presence of H₂O is sufficiently fast compared with that for the reaction of NO₂ with C₃H₆-derived species in the absence of H₂O. Although the retarding effect of SO₂ on the activity was observed for all of the catalysts, SnO₂–Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ showed still relatively high activity in the lower temperature region.     

Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂的CO_2-TPD表征

Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂是甲烷二氧化碳重整反应制取合成气研究最多、最具应用潜力的一种催化剂。通过对催化剂进行CO_2-TPD研究,考察还原态Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂的CO_2脱附特性。结果表明,浸渍法制备的Ni/Al_2O_3催化剂CO_2脱附曲线呈现双峰,分别在(60~65)℃和(350~380)℃出现高低温两个活性位;高温CO_2吸附量为3.0 cm~3·g~(-1),低温CO_2吸附量为24.0 cm~3·g~(-1)。催化剂的CO_2吸附量与其Ni含量无关。考察选用不同载体的CO_2脱附行为,发现以Al_2O_3为载体的催化剂CO_2吸附量是MgO和SiO_2为载体催化剂的2~4倍,以TiO_2为载体的催化剂几乎不吸附CO_2。     

Comparison of catalytic activity and selectivity of Pd/(OSC + Al2O3) and (Pd + OSC)/Al2O3 catalysts

The effect of the Pd addition method into the fresh Pd/(OSC + Al₂O₃) and (Pd + OSC)/Al₂O₃ catalysts (OSC material = Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ mixed oxides) was investigated in this study. The CO + NO and CO + NO + O₂ model reactions were studied over fresh and aged catalysts. The differences in the fresh catalysts were insignificant compared to the aged catalysts. During the CO + NO reaction, only small differences were observed in the behaviour of the fresh catalysts. The light-off temperature of CO was about 20 °C lower for the fresh Pd/(OSC + Al₂O₃) catalyst than for the fresh (Pd + OSC)/Al₂O₃ catalyst during the CO + NO + O₂ reaction. For the aged catalysts lower NO reduction and CO oxidation activities were observed, as expected. Pd on OSC-containing alumina was more active than Pd on OSC material after the agings. The activity decline is due to a decrease in the number of active sites on the surface, which was observed as a larger Pd particle size for aged catalysts than for fresh catalysts. In addition, the oxygen storage capacity of the aged Pd/(OSC + Al₂O₃) catalyst was higher than that of the (Pd + OSC)/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Characterization and catalytic activity of Pd/V2O5/Al2O3 catalysts on benzene total oxidation

The role of vanadium oxide and palladium on the benzene oxidation reaction over Pd/V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalysts was investigated. The Pd/V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalysts were more active than V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ and Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The increase of vanadium oxide content decreased the Pd dispersion and increased the benzene conversion. A strong Pd particle size effect on benzene oxidation reaction was observed. Although the catalysts containing high amount of V⁴⁺ species were more active, the Pd particle size effect was responsible for the higher activity.     

Pd–Pt/Al2O3 bimetallic catalysts for the advanced oxidation of reactive dye solutions

The Pd–Pt/Al₂O₃ bimetallic catalysts showed high activities toward the wet oxidation of the reactive dyes in the presence of 1% H₂ together with excess oxygen. Palladium was believed to act as a co-catalyst to spillover the adsorbed H₂ onto the surface of the oxidized Pt surface, and thereby the reducibility of the Pt increased greatly. The organic dye molecule adsorbed on the reduced Pt surface more easily than the oxidized Pt surface under the competition with excess oxygen, which is an essential step for the catalytic wet oxidation (CWO). The Pd–Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts also produced H₂O₂ from H₂/O₂ mixture, and the hydroxyl radical was formed through the subsequent decomposition of H₂O₂. Additional oxidation of the reactive dyes was obtained with hydroxyl radical. The high activities of the Pd–Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts were believed to be due to the combined effects of the faster redox cycle resulting from the increased reducibility of Pt surface and the additional oxidation of the reactive dyes with hydroxyl radical.     

Ethanol steam reforming over Ni/La–Al2O3 catalysts: Influence of lanthanum loading

Hydrogen production from ethanol reforming over nickel catalysts supported on lanthanum loaded Al₂O₃ substrates was studied. Activity results revealed the enhancement in the reforming stability of the Ni catalysts with the increase in the lanthanum loading on Al₂O₃ substrates. Catalytic behavior of Ni/La–Al₂O₃ catalysts in the ethanol steam reforming was found to be the contribution of the activity of the La–Al₂O₃ supports for the ethanol dehydration reaction and the activity of the nickel metallic phase that catalyzes both dehydrogenation and CC bond rupture. Physicochemical characterization of catalysts revealed that acidity, nickel dispersion and nickel-support interaction depend on the La-loading on Al₂O₃. The better reforming stability of catalysts with the increase in La content was explained in terms of the ability of nickel surface and/or La–Ni interactions to prevent the formation of carbon filaments.     

Phase diagram of the Al2O3–ZrO2–Nd2O3 system

The phase diagram of the Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–Nd₂O₃ system was constructed in the temperature range 1250–2800 °C. The liquidus surface of the phase diagram reflects the preferentially eutectic interaction in the system. Two new ternary and one new binary eutectics were found. The minimum melting temperature is 1675 °C and it corresponds to the ternary eutectic Nd₂O₃·11Al₂O₃ + F-ZrO₂ + NdAlO₃. The solidus surface projection and the schematic of the alloy crystallization path confirm the preferentially congruent character of phase interaction in the ternary system. The polythermal sections present the complete phase diagram of the Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–Nd₂O₃ system. No ternary compounds or regions of remarkable solid solution were found in the components or binaries in this ternary system.     

V2O5 catalysts supported on Al2O3–SiO2 mixed oxide: V, H MAS solid-state NMR, DRIFTS and methanol oxidation studies

Alumina–silica mixed oxide, synthesized by the sol–gel technique, was used as a support for dispersing and stabilizing the active vanadia phase. The catalysts were characterized employing ⁵¹V and ¹H solid-state MAS NMR, diffuse reflectance FT-IR, BET surface area measurements. The partial oxidation activities of the catalysts were tested using methanol oxidation as a model reaction. ⁵¹V solid-state NMR studies on the calcined catalysts showed the peaks corresponding to the presence of both tetrahedral and distorted octahedral vanadia species at low vanadia loadings and with an increase in V₂O₅ content, the ⁵¹V chemical shifts corresponding to amorphous V₂O₅ like phases were observed. DRIFTS studies of the catalysts indicated the vibrations corresponding tetrahedral vanadia species at low and medium loadings and at high V₂O₅ contents the vibrations corresponding V=O bonds of V₂O₅ agglomerates were observed. The V/Al–Si catalysts exhibited high selectivity for the dehydration product dimethyl ether in the methanol partial oxidation studies showing the predominance of the acidic nature of the alumina–silica support over the redox properties of the active vanadia phase.     

Hydrogenation of naphthalene on NiMo- Ni- and Ru/Al2O3 catalysts: Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic modelling

The importance of the hydrodearomatisation (HDA) is increasing together with tightening legislation of fuel quality and exhaust emissions. The present study focuses on hydrogenation (HYD) kinetics of the model aromatic compound naphthalene, found in typical diesel fraction, in n-hexadecane over a NiMo (nickel molybdenum), Ni (nickel) and Ru (ruthenium) supported on trilobe alumina (Al₂O₃) catalysts. Kinetic reaction expressions based on the mechanistic Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) model were derived and tested by regressing the experimental data that translated the effect of both naphthalene and hydrogen concentration at a constant temperature (523.15 and 573.15 K over the NiMo catalyst and at 373.15 K over the Ni and Ru/Al₂O₃ catalysts) on the initial reaction rate. The L–H equation, giving an adequate fit to the experimental data with physically meaningful parameters, suggested a competitive adsorption between hydrogen and naphthalene over the presulphided NiMo catalyst and a non-competitive adsorption between these two reactants over the prereduced Ni and Ru/Al₂O₃ catalysts. In addition, the adsorption constant values indicated that the prereduced Ru catalyst was a much more active catalyst towards naphthalene HYD than the prereduced Ni/Al₂O₃ or the presulphided NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Effects of small MoO3 additions on the properties of nickel catalysts for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons III. Reduction of Ni-Mo/Al2O3 catalysts

Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst modified by small amounts of Mo show unusual properties in the steam reforming of hydrocarbons. There are no data about the effect of small amounts of molybdenum on reduction of the Ni-Mo supported catalysts. The properties of these very complex systems depend on the conditions of successive preparation stages (calcination, reduction) or the process conditions.

A series of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts modified by Mo were prepared in order to investigate the influence of promoter amounts and preparation sequence on their properties. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) has been employed to study the reducibility of Ni-Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Catalysts were further characterized by BET area, H₂ chemisorption and X-ray diffraction measurements.

The TPR curves of Ni-Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts are very complex. Mo addition leads to the decrease of catalysts reducibility. However, complete reduction of NiO and MoO₃ can be achieved at 800 °C. The reduction course depends on the sequence of nickel and molybdenum addition into the support. Precise measurements of Ni peaks positions in the XRD pattern of Ni/Al₂O₃ and Ni-Mo/Al₂O₃ samples show the possibility of Ni-Mo solid solution formation.     

NiO/Al_2O_3基催化剂的TPR特性研究

NiO/Al_2O_3基催化剂用于替代贵金属催化剂,被广泛应用于石油和石化领域生产过程的加氢、脱硫和脱氮。采用TPR方法,研究不同Ni含量NiO/Al_2O_3及不同载体的催化剂还原特性。结果表明,NiO/Al_2O_3催化剂在10%H_2-Ar气氛下,还原温度范围较宽,为(300~800)℃,其中,(500~600)℃还原速率最大;随着NiO含量的增加,起始还原温度降低,还原耗氢量按比例增加;以MgO为载体的NiO催化剂还原呈现双峰特征,以SiO2和TiO2为载体的NiO催化剂的初始还原温度比NiO/Al_2O_3催化剂降低(100~200)℃。     

Physicochemical surface and catalytic properties of CuO–ZnO/Al2O3 system

A series of CuO–ZnO/Al₂O₃ solids were prepared by wet impregnation using Al(OH)₃ solid and zinc and copper nitrate solutions. The amounts of copper and zinc oxides were varied between 10.3 and 16.0 wt% CuO and between 0.83 and 7.71 wt% ZnO. The prepared solids were subjected to thermal treatment at 400–1000°C. The solid–solid interactions between the different constituents of the prepared solids were studied using XRD analysis of different calcined solids. The surface characteristics of various calcined adsorbents were investigated using nitrogen adsorption at −196°C and their catalytic activities were determined using CO-oxidation by O₂ at temperatures ranged between 125°C and 200°C.

The results showed that CuO interacts with Al₂O₃ to produce copper aluminate at ≥600°C and the completion of this reaction requires heating at 1000°C. ZnO hinders the formation of CuAl₂O₄ at 600°C while stimulates its production at 800°C. The treatment of CuO/Al₂O₃ solids with different amounts of ZnO increases their specific surface area and total pore volume and hinders their sintering (the activation energy of sintering increases from 30 to 58 kJ mol⁻¹ in presence of 7.71 wt% ZnO). This treatment resulted in a progressive decrease in the catalytic activities of the investigated solids but increased their catalytic durability. Zinc and copper oxides present did not modify the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction but changed the concentration of catalytically active constituents (surface CuO crystallites) without changing their energetic nature.     

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of NiMo/SiO2–Al2O3 catalysts prepared by the pH-swing method

NiMo/(X)SiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts were synthesized with various SiO₂ contents (X = 0, 10, 25 and 50 wt%) using the pH-swing method. In order to find the optimum SiO₂ content, the catalysts were evaluated in the hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-DMDBT, hydrogenation of naphthalene and hydrodenitrogenation of carbazole. Kinetic parameters of Langmuir–Hinshelwood type equations for all the reaction systems were estimated. FTIR analysis of CO adsorption for the sulfided catalysts shows that the amount of coordinatively unsaturated Mo sites promoted by nickel (CUS-NiMoS) follows the order NiMo/10ASA > NiMo/25ASA > NiMo/0ASA. This tendency agrees with the results obtained in catalytic activity.     

Formation of Y3Al5O12–Al2O3 eutectic microstructure with off-eutectic composition

Homogeneous-eutectic microstructure of Y₃Al₅O₁₂–Al₂O₃ system without coarse primary crystals was formed at an off-eutectic composition. This method utilizes a low migration rate in an amorphous phase. A mixture of Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ having the off-eutectic composition was melted and quenched rapidly to form an amorphous phase. A heat-treatment of the amorphous phase at 1000 °C and 1300 °C for 30 min formed Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Al₂O₃ phases. SEM observation of this material, which was formed from the amorphous phase at 1300 °C for 30 min, showed homogeneous eutectic-like microstructure. The formation of the primary crystals (coarse Al₂O₃), which are always observed in the off-eutectic compositions by ordinary method, was completely suppressed.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane and 1-butene on undoped and K-doped VOx/Al2O3 catalysts

The oxidative dehydrogenation (OXDH) of n-butane and 1-butene on undoped and K-doped alumina-supported vanadia catalysts has been studied. The low selectivity to OXDH products on alumina-supported vanadia catalysts is a consequence of the isomerization of olefins (low temperatures) and the formation of carbon oxides (high temperatures) on acid sites. The presence of potassium results in a decrease of the number of acid sites and a higher selectivity to OXDH products from both n-butane and 1-butene. Infrared spectroscopy data of 1-butene adsorbed on the catalysts suggest the presence of different adsorbed species: (i) O-containing species on the undoped catalyst, or (ii) adsorbed butadiene on K-doped catalyst. A reaction network including parallel and consecutive reactions is proposed.