Development of a structured monolithic support with a CNT washcoat for the naphtha HDS process

•CoMo catalysts supported on acid-treated and CNT coated monoliths for HDS process.•Preparing carbon nanotubes coated on cordierite monoliths through CVD technique.•Developed high surface area catalytic monoliths of suitable pore size distribution.•Higher HDS activity for CoMo/CNT/Monolith vs. conventional catalyst obtained.

An acid treatment of the cordierite monolith followed by coating of the CNT onto it by means of catalytic decomposition of methane was performed. The resulting material utilized as the support for the CoMo catalyst. The characterization outcomes showed that the CNTs were distributed uniformly on the surface of the monolith leading to a high BET surface area and relatively good adhered mesoporous layer of CNTs. Moreover, the catalytic activity of the resulting catalysts determined in an HDS reaction of naphtha. It was concluded that the activity of the CoMo catalyst over the CNT coated monolithic support (FACNT) was higher than that of the CoMo deposited onto the acid-treated monolith and CoMo/γ-Al2O3 conventional catalyst. Ultimately, the HDS reaction over the CoMo/FACNT material under optimized operating conditions reduced the sulfur content of naphtha from 2670 to 13 ppm.