The use of a natural Mexican zeolite as support of NiMoW sulphide hydrotreating catalysts

In order to examine the influence of type of metal precursor on the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity of synthetized samples, a series of ternary Ni–Mo–W catalysts supported on a natural Mexican zeolite (clinoptilolite) were prepared by sequential wet impregnation of the zeolite support with different thiosalts of W and Mo, and Ni(NO3)2·6H2O. The synthetized samples were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms at −196 °C, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX/SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The catalysts activity was evaluated in the HDS of dibenzothiophene (DBT) reaction performed in a batch reactor at 350 °C and 3.1 MPa of total hydrogen pressure. The activity tests demonstrated that the best catalyst was the NiMoW-H/zeo sample synthesized from ammonium thiosalts. The use of tetraalkylammonium thiometalates as metal precursors led to the decrease in the HDS activity. The most active catalyst in the HDS of DBT reaction showed the largest density of active phases on the support surface determined from HRTEM measurements.Dr. R. Huirache-Acuña wants to thank the support of CONACYT CIENCIA BASICA 182191 and CIC-UMSNH 2012-2013 Projects (Mexico) and the valuable assistance of Dr. Eric M. Rivera Muñoz (CFATAUNAM) and financial support of Project DGAPA – UNAM PAPIIT IN107311–3. The authors are grateful to Prof. J.L.G. Fierro (ICP-CSIC, Spain) for stimulating discussion and providing laboratory facilities for the catalyst characterization. This study was partially supported by The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (ENE2010-21198-C04-01) and The Community of Madrid (S2009ENE-1743 project) with financial aid from the Scientific Cooperation FONCICYT Program (FONCICYT-96194 project).Peer Reviewe