Hydrocracking of n-decane over non-sulfided Ni-CsxH3-xPW12O40/Al2O3 catalysts

The effect of Cs content in CsxH3-xPW12O40 on the catalytic performance of the reduced Ni-CsxH3-xPW12O40/Al2O3 catalysts for hydrocracking of n-decane with the presence of thiophene and pyridine is studied. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, in situ XRD, Raman, H2-TPR, H2-TPD, NH3-TPD and FT-IR of pyridine adsorption. The best result was obtained on 8%Ni-50%CsH2PW12O40/Al2O3 catalyst which shows the highest catalytic activity and with tolerance to 525 ppm of thiophene and 170 ppm of pyridine (the reaction conditions: 2.0 MPa, LHSV = 2.92 h− 1, H2/n-decane 1500 vol/vol at 300 °C). The high catalytic performance of the catalyst may be due to the proper balance between metal and acid functions by adding a certain proportion of Cs to the system.

► Effect of Cs in Ni-CsxH3-xPW12O40/Al2O3 for hydrocracking of n-decane is studied.
► Proper balance between metal and acid functions is established by adding Cs.
► The highest catalytic activity is obtained on 8% Ni-50% CsH2PW12O40/Al2O3.