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Pulsed microreactor study of catalyst used in the SYNTHOIL process

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7309815· OSTI ID:7309815

In studying the deactivation mechanisms of the Harshaw 0402T cobalt and molybdenum oxide catalyst used in the SYNTHOIL coal liquefaction reactor, a pulsed microreactor with a gas chromatography detection system has been found useful in measuring catalyst activity. Five types of catalyzed reactions important to the SYNTHOIL process were represented in the experiment: hydrodesulfurization (thiophene to C/sub 4/ hydrocarbons), cracking (diphenylmethane to benzene and toluene), dehydrogenation (tetralin and naphthalene), hydrodeoxygenation (m-cresol to toluene), and hydrodenitrogenation (pyrrole to C/sub 4/ hydrocarbons). It has been determined that exposure of the catalyst in the SYNTHOIL reactor definitely lowers activities in these five reactions, particularly in catalyst pellets taken from the middle and outlet of the reactor. Regeneration is effective in restoring used catalyst to levels of activity comparable to new oxide and presulfided catalyst. It was determined that in situ presulfidation resulted in little difference in catalyst activity from that of an externally-presulfided catalyst and a decrease in some cases.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
7309815
Report Number(s):
SAND-77-0687
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English