Hydrodesulphurization and Hydrodenitrogenation Over Promoted‐Molybdenum Sepiolite Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract The hydrodesulphurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) activities of Mo‐sepiolite catalysts promoted by Ni, Co, Zn and Fe, containing 5.2 wt % MoO 3 and 2.0 wt % of promoter, have been measured in a high pressure tricklebed reactor. The catalysts have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface acidity, and extraction by ammonia. Activity for HDS was found to be higher than for HDN. Both HDS and HDN activities were dependent on the nature of promoter and of the preparation method. The observed differences in HDS activity may be related to differences in the distribution of promoter, whereas HDN activity seems to be also governed by the hydrogenating property of the promoter and by the surface acidity of the catalyst.