Hydrodenitrogenation of model N-compounds over NiO-MoO3 supported on mesoporous materials

Ni-Mo catalysts have been prepared using MCM-41, SBA-15, AlMCM-41, a blend of dealuminated BEA and alumina (DAl BEA-AL) and γ-Al2O3 as supports. The supports/catalysts have been characterized by N2-adsorption, XRD, UV–vis, Raman spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction and temperature programmed desorption of NH3. The catalysts have been evaluated in the temperature range between 553 and 613 K for the hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of quinoline (Q) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (1THQ) at 50 bar pressure using a feed containing 5 wt% of the N-compound in decalin. Cumene cracking studies have also been carried out over the sulfide catalysts at temperatures between 623 and 723 K. Over all the catalysts, HDN of 1THQ is easier than that of Q. The most active catalyst for HDN of Q was Ni-Mo/DAl BEA-AL followed by Ni-Mo/Al2O3; for 1THQ, the order was Ni-Mo/DAl BEA-AL followed by Ni-Mo/AlMCM-41.

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► Ni-Mo-dealuminated BEA/Al2O3 is more active than Ni-Mo-alumina in HDN reactions.
► MoO3 is poorly dispersed on MCM-41, AlMCM-41 and SBA-15.
► Brønsted acidity is important in HDN of quinoline and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline.