CoMo/Ti-MCM-41/Alumina Catalysts: Properties and Activity in the Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of Dibenzothiophene (DBT)

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the experimental synthesis of Co−Mo catalysts supported on Ti-MCM-41/alumina. The mixing process of alumina and Ti-MCM 41 and the resulting effects on mechanical and textural properties of the final catalyst were studied. MCM-41 was synthesized according to methods previously reported in the literature. An alumina matrix was obtained from the thermal treatment of pseudo-boehmite. Cylindrical extrudate support was prepared by physical mixture of Ti-MCM-41 and boehmite. Co and Mo were incorporated into the support by simultaneous impregnation. The catalysts were characterized by textural properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Catalytic activity tests were conducted in a differential reactor using the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) as the model reaction. Reaction products were analyzed via online gas chromatography (GC). The integration of Ti-MCM-41 with alumina resulted in a support with suitable textural and mechanical properties, such as those required for commercial application. The results of HDS of DBT indicated that Co−Mo supported on Ti-MCM-41/alumina catalyst exhibits activity that is very similar, in comparison, to that of a typical commercial catalyst.