The
present work reports the synthesis of beta zeolite and its
modification with phosphorous in different percentages of P2O5 (1 and 5%) and vacuum gas oil (VGO) hydrocracking (HCK)
conversion and yield to naphtha and middle distillates. The solids
were characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis by atomic
absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission
spectrometry (ICP-AES), N2 adsorption, 27Al
magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (27Al-MAS-NMR),
temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD)
and isopropylamine (IPam-TPD), pyridine adsorption followed by Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (Py-FTIR), hydrogen temperature-programmed
reduction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive
X-ray (TEM–EDX). The catalysts were tested in a tubular reaction
system at 350 °C, 10 342 kPa, H2/feed: 1250
NL/L, LHSV: 1 h–1 with prehydrotreated VGO. Overall
activity and middle distillates and naphtha yields were influenced
by the phosphorous impregnation on beta zeolite. Between 4 and 6%
higher conversion was observed. Textural and acid properties were
modified by the phosphorous treatment leading to a total acidity and
surface area decrease with phosphorous content. Relative changes in
tetrahedral and extra-framework aluminum were followed by 27Al-MAS-NMR. AlT
(4) assigned to distorted extra-lattice tetrahedral aluminum and AlO
(2) extra-framework
aluminum increased with phosphorous impregnation. Strong acidity monitored
by IR of adsorbed pyridine showed a direct correlation with VGO conversion
and naphtha yields.