Mesoporous Ni/Mo Carbon Catalysts for Deep Hydrodesulfurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrodesulfurization methods are ineffective in removing stable aromatic sulfur compounds like thiophene, benzothiophene, and dimethylbenzothiophene, requiring severe conditions and additional infrastructure, and thus fail to achieve deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels.
Innovation Solution
A Ni/Mo hydrodesulfurization catalyst is produced by mixing nickel and molybdenum salts with activated carbon, followed by drying and calcination, resulting in a mesoporous catalyst with specific surface area, pore diameter, and pore volume, which effectively desulfurizes hydrocarbon feedstocks at mild conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional hydrodesulfurization methods are used, then non-aromatic sulfur compounds can be removed, but aromatic sulfur compounds like thiophene and benzothiophene remain unaffected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing a metal organic framework (MOF) catalyst with specific pore structure and surface area, operating at moderate temperatures (100-400°C) and pressures (1-10 MPa), which enables the breakdown of stable aromatic sulfur compounds that conventional catalysts cannot remove
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material design by combining metal nanoparticles (Ni, Co, Mo) within MOF structures to create a catalyst that integrates the porous framework for mass transport with metal sites for catalytic activity, achieving effective removal of both aliphatic and aromatic sulfur compounds
2Manufacturing precision
If severe conditions are applied to remove aromatic sulfur compounds, then deep desulfurization can be achieved, but additional infrastructure and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies process parameters by using a MOF-based catalyst that operates at moderate temperatures (100-400°C) and pressures (1-10 MPa), eliminating the need for extreme conditions and complex infrastructure while achieving deep desulfurization of aromatic sulfur compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a heterogeneous MOF catalyst that can be easily separated from the product stream and regenerated, replacing complex and expensive permanent infrastructure modifications with a disposable or regenerable catalyst material that simplifies the overall process
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 achieves deep desulfurization, reducing sulfur content by 20-99% in hydrocarbon streams, effectively removing refractory sulfur compounds under milder conditions compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A Ni/Mo hydrodesulfurization catalyst is produced by mixing nickel and molybdenum salts with activated carbon... which effectively desulfurizes hydrocarbon feedstocks
Implementation Method 2
contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a 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
Implementation Method 3
The Ni/Mo hydrodesulfurization catalyst is mesoporous with a BET surface area of 250-500 m2/g, an average pore diameter of 4-10 nm, and a pore volume of 0.2-3 cm3/g
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.