Hydrocracking of a Long Chain Alkyl‐Cycloalkane: Role of Porosity and Metal‐Acid Balance

Abstract

Hydroisomerization and hydrocracking of octylcyclohexane (C14H28) were performed over Pt and NiMoS‐supported catalysts, at 300 °C and 60 bar, with a molar H2 to hydrocarbon ratio of 7 mol/mol. The feed, composed of 5 wt.% phenyloctane dissolved in n‐heptane, was initially hydrogenated in situ over a pre‐catalyst, Pt or NiMoS/Al2O3. The C14 naphthene underwent isomerization and cracking under high hydrogen pressure over the bifunctional catalysts, whose acid function was represented by large‐pore zeolities (USY, Beta) or amorphous silica‐alumina (SA). For the Pt‐catalysts, Beta was slightly more active than USY. Both zeolites produced a similar product pattern. Sulfide catalysts were less well equilibrated than Pt ones and hence less active. They led to some over‐cracking, but the cracking selectivity of our naphthene reactant was much less sensitive to the metal‐acid balance than the cracking selectivity of n‐alkanes. The comparison of reactivity of octylcyclohexane with n‐hexadecane and perhydrophenanthrene is also discussed.

In‐Liquid Plasma Catalysis: Tools for Sustainable H2‐free Heavy Oils Upgrading

“…Recent economic growth, driven by population, urbanization, and industrial expansion, has escalated the global demand for oil, particularly light crude, resulting in a steady depletion of its supply. [1] Over half of the world's oil reserves exist in the form of restorable oils, such as heavy oil, extra heavy oil, oil sands, tar sands, oil shale, and bitumen. [2] Despite their abundance, conventional refineries face challenges in efficiently processing these resources.…”