Analysis of Organic Sulfur via Catalytic Hydrodesulfurization

Abstract

Three types of hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts, namely; CoMo/Al₂O₃, NiMo/Al₂O₃ and NiW/Al₂O₃ with various contents of group VI (Mo and W) and group VIII (Co and Ni) oxides, but with a fixed ratio of 4:1, respectively, were prepared via impregnating γ-Al₂O₃ pellets with solutions containing cobalt or nickel initiate and ammonium molybdate or tungstate. After drying and calcination, the catalysts were then sulfided in situ in the reactor. Two refractory sulfur compounds, namely; benzthiophene and dibenzthiophene, were tested for HDS on the prepared catalysts, hoping to reach complete HDS. Fortunately, some catalyst preparations reached quantitative transformation of the thiophenic compounds under study to H₂S at a temperature of 450°Cin a H₂ flow of 20 cm³ min⁻¹.

Key Words:

• Organic Sulfur
• Catalysis
• Desufurization