Hydrodesulfurization activity of zeolite-supported nickel and cobalt sulfide catalysts

Various zeolite (NaY or CaY) supported metal sulfide (Ni or Co) catalysts were prepared (impregnation or ion exchange) and characterized by means of thiophene HDS, Xe-129 NMR and TPS. Especially the acidic zeolites showed a very high initial activity. The observed activity differences are discussed in terms of sulfidation, dispersion, position of the metalsulfide relative to the zeolite pore system and acidity, the latter two being the most important. It is concluded that small Ni and Co sulfide clusters are very efficient thiophene desulfurization catalyst