Large scale hydroisomerization reactions of n-heptane on partially reduced MoO3/TiO2

Hydroisomerization of n-heptane on the bifunctional molybdenum MoO2−x(OH)y phase has been carried out at industrial conditions in terms of temperature, pressure and space velocity. A conversion of 78% and 82% in isomerization selectivity were obtained at 623 K, 5 bar pressure, 30 SLPH and 0.8 h−1 LHSV using 15 g of the catalyst. Complete transformation of n-heptane to isomerization products was observed below the saturation limit of n-heptane reactant to the available active sites at 0.8 h−1 LHSV. Time on stream experiments for 70 h did not show any changes in neither the conversion nor the isomerization selectivity. The stability and the resistance of the catalytic systems towards poisoning by hydrocarbon species are attributed to the particular position of Mo atoms placed along the C-axis of the deformed rutile structure of this phase.

Graphical abstractHydroisomerization of n-heptane was carried out on the bifunctional MoO2(Hx)ac phase deposited on TiO2 at the bench scale level. Experimental conditions comparable to those carried out in industry such as hydrogen pressure, reaction temperature, and hydrogen flow rate. Space velocity and the catalyst stability were employed. High conversion and isomerization selectivity were obtained at 623 K, 5 bar and 0.8 h−1 LHSV.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide