Synthesis and optimization of Ni/Mo-impregnated kaolin-based ZSM-5 as a catalytic hydrocracking catalyst for heavy petroleum distillates

• Published in: Sustainable Energy and Fuels
• Main Author: Dhaneswara D.; Fatriansyah J.F.; Sudiro T.; Harjanto S.; Mastuli M.S.; Federico A.; Ulfiati R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Royal Society of Chemistry 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85193781610&doi=10.1039%2fd3se01573d&partnerID=40&md5=777dc146e5170c5344a04c1c07f740a9

Enhancing the Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) catalytic hydrocracking performance has been of interest in petrochemical processes. The synthesis of bifunctional Ni/Mo-impregnated ZSM-5 catalysts for catalytic hydrocracking of heavy distillate fractions of petroleum with a raw material of Badau Belitung kaolin was conducted as an effort to create more effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly catalysts. Based on the catalytic performance test results, Ni/Mo ZSM-5 has a good ability as a catalyst for catalytic hydrocracking of petroleum, producing medium and light distillate fractions. The catalytic hydrocracking of heavy petroleum distillates was performed under operating conditions of a final temperature of 425 °C and a maximum operating pressure of 60 bar (6 MPa), resulting in two optimum synthesis formulae, namely formula A and formula B. The Ni/Mo ZSM-5 formula A and formula B catalysts are capable of converting the heavy distillate of petroleum into medium and light fractions of 92.47% and 92.06% by mass, respectively. Commercial Ni/Mo γ-alumina and commercial Ni/Mo ZSM-5 catalysts were chosen as comparisons, yielding lower performance under the same operating conditions, with conversions of 70.40% and 87.19% by mass, respectively. © 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry.