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Catalysis by transition metal sulfides

Conference · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6850144

Hydroprocessing catalysts based upon the transition metal sulfides have been widely used for over sixty years and catalysts such as Co/Mo/A1/sub 2/O/sub 3/ remain the industry ''workhorses'' in hydroprocessing of petroleum based feedstocks. Such applications include sulfur removal (hydrodesulfurization), nitrogen removal (hydrodenitrogenation) and product quality improvement (hydrotreating, hydroconversion). Original interest (prior to WW II) in these catalysts centered on their activity in the hydrogenation of coal liquids which contain considerable amounts of sulfur, thus maintaining the transition metal in the sulfided state. It was quickly discovered that Co, Ni, Mo W sulfides and their mixtures were the most active and least expensive of the transition metal sulfides. Later (post WWII), their major uses shifted to hydroprocessing of sulfur and nitrogen containing petroleum based feedstocks with Co and Ni promoted Mo and W catalysts usually supported on A1/sub 2/O/sub 3/. However, as petroleum feedstock supplies dwindle, we are required to process larger quantities of ''dirtier'' feeds containing larger amounts of sulfur, nitrogen and metals. To meet these requirements in the future, a new generation of transition metal sulfide-based catalysts will be needed which have higher activities, greater selectivity to desired products and greater resistance to poisons.

Research Organization:
Corporate Research-Science Laboratories, Exxon Research and Engineering Company Linden, New Jersey
OSTI ID:
6850144
Report Number(s):
CONF-830814-
Journal Information:
Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Vol. 28:5; ISSN ACPCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English