Study on the hydrotreatment of C9 aromatics over supported multi-metal catalysts on γ-Al₂O₃

With the dramatic increasing of economy, the conflict between the lack of petroleum resource and sharply increasing demand for gasoline and diesel has restricted the continuous development of economy and energy of our world. The catalytic conversion of C9 aromatics into clean fuel was studied in our laboratory using hydrotreating catalysts which were prepared by new synthesis technologies that combine vacuum-impregnation and temperature-programmed calcinations. Characterization results indicate that these catalysts have a high surface area, and the activity sites dispersed well on the supporter. Hydrogenation performance of reaction conditions was carried out in two-stage fixed beds. Products of gasoline (<180 °C) and diesel (180-360 °C) fractions were separated from intermediate products via distillation, and the analysis results demonstrate that S/N content, density, and viscosity decreased. However, the H/C molar ratio increased. The main reactions of isomerization, disproportionation, and dealkylation occurred during the conversion of C9 aromatics and the activity order accorded the mechanism of carbenium ion reaction. This study indicates that C9 aromatics could be considerably upgraded through catalytic hydroprocessing to high-quality fuel in the presence of high-performance catalysts and appropriate reaction conditions. Thus, they are promising catalytic technologies and materials. Furthermore, the products could substitute gasoline and diesel partly.