Synthesis, characterization and model reactivity of ultra dispersed catalysts for hydroprocessing

Abstract

Heavy oils are playing a significant role in the world energy market. Due to their high content of impurities, they require advanced technologies for their production and refining. Existing supported catalysts, with macroscopic particle size, suffer severe deactivation in the conventional hydroprocessing of heavy oil fractions. Ultra-dispersed (UD) catalysts are an alternative technology for heavy oil hydroprocessing. Their reduced particle size can penetrate the intricate network of heavy molecules to increase the production of cleaner and lower molecular weight fractions. In addition, UD particles have higher catalytic activity resulting from a greater surface area, leading to an increased number of active sites with no pore restrictions. In this study, sub-micron/nano size UD catalysts were synthesized via water in oil emulsions in a continuous mode particularly designed for online application to conventional or in situ hydroprocessing. Specifically, the highest activity synergism for UD catalyst of Ni-W and Co-Mo was found.