The performance of NiMo/SiO2-Al2O3 and NiMo/SO4-Al2O3 catalysts for hydrocracking of n-hexadecane

In this study, the performance of NiMo catalysts over an amorphous SiO2-Al2O3 and SO4-Al2O3 with various contents of H2SO4 was investigated for the n-hexadecane hydrocracking (n-C16) using a down flow fixed bed micro-reactor. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using BET, XRD, and NH3-TPD analysis. The analysis of the coke formed on the catalysts has been carried out using the TG-TPO. The obtained results indicated that the coke formation was decreased by increasing sulfuric acid content in catalysts. The performance of the catalysts was investigated for n-C16 hydrocracking and the liquid products were analyzed using GC-MS. The catalytic activity increased when sulfuric acid content increased and reached to about 99% conversion using catalyst containing 0.21 wt.% H2SO4.