Further Use of Spent Co-Based Macroporous Adsorbent for Low-Temperature Hydrodesulfurization

Abstract

Spent cobalt-based macroporous adsorbents are considered to be used for the hydrotreating process. Herein, cobalt-based spent materials from the low-temperature desulfurization process were used as organic sulfur hydrotreating catalysts. Physicochemical properties of waste adsorbents were characterized and the performance for COS conversion was evaluated at different conditions. The spent Co-containing adsorbents exhibit considerable organic sulfur hydrogenation performance at low temperature, the residual cobalt oxide in sulfided samples will absorb part of hydrogen sulfide and generate new active phase Co9S8. By further characterization, it can be found that the unstable Co-S bond on the surface of the sample played a key role in hydrogenation catalysis. Results indicated that the sulfidation degree of the waste adsorbents played a key role in the hydrotreating process. With the temperature increasing from 150 ~ 250 °C, the conversion rate and H2S selectivity were increased. It is hoped that this paper will provide significant suggestions in waste adsorbents treatment for future work.Graphical Abstract