Hydrofining of light cycle oil over in situ synthesized nickel–tungsten sulfide catalysts

Abstract

Nickel–tungsten sulfide catalysts for the hydrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of aromatic hydrocarbons are synthesized by the in situ decomposition of thio salts using different methods: the in situ decomposition of a [BMPip]₂Ni(WS₄)₂ precursor in an ionic liquid, the in situ decomposition of a [BMPip]₂Ni(WS₄)₂ precursor in a hydrocarbon feedstock, the in situ breaking of a SPAN-80 surfactant-stabilized suspension of solid Ni/(NH₄)₂WS₄ precursor particles in a hydrocarbon feedstock, and the decomposition of oil-soluble precursors (tungsten hexacarbonyl and nickel(II) 2-ethylhexanoate) in a hydrocarbon feedstock. The resulting catalysts are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; their catalytic activity is studied in a batch reactor using the example of the hydrofining of light cycle oils with different compositions.