Hydrodesulfurization Catalyst Stability via MoO3 Calcination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional catalysts for hydrodesulfurization and hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks face challenges in maintaining stability at high temperatures and achieving low production costs, while also effectively converting heavy hydrocarbons to lighter products with reduced sulfur content.

Innovation Solution

A catalyst composition is developed by calcining a mixture of molybdenum trioxide, a nickel compound, and an inorganic oxide material, with molybdenum trioxide as the primary source of molybdenum, which provides a high surface area and specific pore structure for enhanced stability and activity, allowing for efficient hydrodesulfurization and hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional catalysts are used for hydrodesulfurization and hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbons, then the catalyst can perform the required function, but the catalyst exhibits poor stability at high temperatures and high deactivation rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoidcatalyst lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the catalyst by using molybdenum trioxide as the primary molybdenum source combined with specific nickel compounds and inorganic oxide materials, along with optimized preparation parameters (calcination temperature, mixing ratios) to achieve a catalyst with enhanced thermal stability and reduced deactivation rates at high operating temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite catalyst material combining molybdenum trioxide, nickel compounds, and inorganic oxide materials (such as alumina, silica, or mixed oxides) to achieve synergistic effects that improve both the stability and activity of the catalyst, allowing it to maintain performance at high temperatures where conventional catalysts deactivate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional catalyst preparation methods are used, then the production process is simple, but the production cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst production simplicityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cost-effective inorganic oxide materials and straightforward preparation methods that use readily available chemicals and equipment, reducing both material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining catalyst performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If conventional catalysts are used, then the catalyst can process heavy hydrocarbons, but the conversion of heavy end to lighter hydrocarbons is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepitch conversion efficiencyVSAvoidsulfur content in product
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the catalyst's chemical composition parameters (molybdenum trioxide content, nickel compound type and amount, inorganic oxide material ratios) to enhance both the hydroconversion activity for converting heavy pitch to lighter hydrocarbons and the hydrodesulfurization activity for removing sulfur, achieving improved productivity and product quality simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 exhibits exceptional stability and activity in hydrodesulfurization, maintaining high P-value and low deactivation rates at elevated temperatures, while also achieving significant pitch conversion and reduced sulfur content in the product, with a low production cost.

Implementation Method 1

a method that includes the co-mulling of the molybdenum trioxide with an inorganic oxide material and a nickel compound to form a mixture, shaping the mixture into formed particles, and then calcining the formed particles to thereby provide a calcined mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCalcination:

Data Source

PatentEP2049252B1Method of making a highly stable heavy hydrocarbon hydrodesulfurization catalyst.
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV
  • EP2049252B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2049252B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Described is a catalyst useful in the hydroprocessing of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock wherein the catalyst comprises a calcined mixture made by calcining a formed particle of a mixture comprising molybdenum trioxide, a nickel compound, and an inorganic oxide material. The catalyst may be made by mixing an inorganic oxide material, molybdenum trioxide, and a nickel compound to form a mixture that is formed into a particle and calcined to provide a calcined mixture. The process involves the hydrodesulfurization and hydroconversion of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock which process may include the conversion of a portion of the pitch content of the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and the yielding of a treated product having an enhanced stability as reflected by its P-value.