Slurry-phase catalytic hydrocracking of mazut (heavy residual fuel oil) using Ni-bentonite

Abstract

In this work, Ni-bentonite catalyst was synthesized through exchange method. The synthesized catalyst and the pristine clay were characterized by XRD, XRF, TGA/TDA, TEM, EDX-mapping, nitrogen adsorption-desorption at −196 °C, H2-TPD and NH3-TPD. The catalytic efficiency of the dispersed nickel catalyst toward the hydrocracking of mazut (heavy residual fuel oil) under reduced pressure has been evaluated. The experimental results showed increasing yield of middle distillate fraction to 71 wt.% as the reaction temperature raised to 430 °C under pressure 2.0 MPa.