Effect of carbon modifications on the performance of hydrogenation catalysts

In the petroleum industry, the properties of catalysts play a crucial role in the performance of hydroprocessing reactions. Carbon modification can effectively regulate the physicochemical properties of catalysts, but further in-depth research is necessary. In this study, ethylene glycol was used as the carbon source to investigate the impact of varying carbon amounts on the performance of the Mo-Ni/Al₂O₃ hydrogenation catalyst. The results showed that both the pore structure and surface hydroxyl groups of catalysts can be adjusted after carbon modification. As the carbon content increased, the surface acidity of catalysts gradually decreased, and the interaction between carrier and active metal gradually weakened, leading to more octahedral coordination in form of polynuclear polymolybdic acid. The dispersion and sulfidation degree of Mo species improved, ultimately resulting in more hydrogenation active phases. Consequently, the catalyst exhibited enhanced hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrification (HDN) activities.