Hydrotreating synthetic crude with in situ hydrogen and nanodispersed mo catalyst

PETR 124

Flora Ng, fttng@cape.uwaterloo.ca, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, SK N2L 3G1, Canada
Due to the depletion of light oil sources, oilsands bitumen is becoming an important source to supply our energy and fuel demand. Coking is currently used as a primary upgrading step to produce synthetic crude. The synthetic crude is highly aromatic and contains a high amount of benzothiophenic and nitrogen heterocyclic compounds . In order to produce ultra clean gasoline and diesel from the synthetic crude, extensive hydrotreating with a large amount of expensive hydrogen is required. Novel approaches which could reduce the need for the expensive molecular hydrogen would be desirable. This paper describes the use of hydrogen generated in situ using nano-dispersed Mo catalysts for hydrotreating model compounds such as the refractory 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene found in the synthetic crude. Apparently the nano-dispersed Mo catalyst is more effective than the conventional supported Mo catalyst for the hydrodesulfurization of 4,6 –dimethyldibenzothiophene in a mixture of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene. The effect of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds such as quinoline on hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation of aromatic compounds will be discussed. Results of the study could help to design more active catalysts for hydrotreating synthetic crude.