Activated-Carbon Ni/Mo Catalyst for Aromatic Sulfur Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrodesulfurization methods are ineffective in removing stable aromatic sulfur compounds like thiophene, benzothiophene, and dimethyldibenzothiophene, necessitating more severe conditions and complex infrastructure to achieve deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to produce a Ni/Mo hydrodesulfurization catalyst supported by activated carbon, which involves mixing nickel and molybdenum salts with activated carbon, drying, and optionally calcining, resulting in a mesoporous catalyst with specific surface area, pore diameter, and pore volume, suitable for desulfurizing hydrocarbon feedstocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional HDS conditions are used, then non-aromatic sulfur compounds can be removed, but aromatic sulfur compounds remain stable and unaffected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the HDS process parameters by introducing a specific catalyst system (NiMo/AC) and controlling reaction conditions including temperature (200-400°C), pressure (3-10 MPa), and H2 flow rate to enable effective removal of aromatic sulfur compounds that are normally resistant under conventional conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite catalyst material consisting of nickel molybdenum sulfide supported on activated carbon, which combines the catalytic activity of NiMo with the porous structure of activated carbon to achieve enhanced desulfurization performance for both non-aromatic and aromatic sulfur compounds
2Reliability
If more severe conditions are applied to remove aromatic sulfur compounds, then deep desulfurization can be achieved, but process complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves deep desulfurization by optimizing catalyst composition (Ni:Mo molar ratio), support material characteristics (activated carbon with controlled pore structure), and process parameters (temperature, pressure, H2 flow rate), allowing effective removal of aromatic sulfur compounds under relatively mild conditions without requiring complex infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes activated carbon as a support material that can be easily produced from various carbon sources and provides an effective catalytic system that achieves deep desulfurization without requiring expensive or complex infrastructure, making the process economically viable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catalyst effectively converts sulfur-containing compounds into H2S, achieving a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream with a sulfur content reduction of 20-99% under mild conditions, addressing the limitations of conventional HDS processes.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with the Ni/Mo hydrodesulfurization catalyst in the presence of H2 gas to convert at least a portion of the sulfur-containing compound into a mixture of H2S and a desulfurized product
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a hydrodesulfurization catalyst having nickel and molybdenum supported on activated carbon is specified. The hydrodesulfurization catalyst produced is mesoporous having an average pore diameter of 4-10 nm and a BET surface area of 250-500 m2/g. The utilization of the hydrodesulfurization catalyst in treating a hydrocarbon feedstock containing aromatic sulfur compounds (e.g. dibenzothiophene) to produce a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream is also provided.