Beneficial Effect of Ethylene Glycol on the Activity of P-doped NiMo/Al2O3 HDS Catalysts

Phosphorous-doped NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst prepared using ethylene glycol (EG) as additive was tested in the hydrotreating of straight-run gas oil. The organic agent was diluted in the impregnation solution obtained by the dissolving of MoO3 and Ni(OH)2 in water solution of H3PO4. The TEM data confirmed that the procedures used in catalyst preparation and sulfidation ensure the formation of highly dispersed NiMoS nanoparticles. As determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the addition of EG leads to the formation of sulfide catalyst with a higher dispersion of Mo on the surface. Accordingly, the catalyst with EG is more active in hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation of straight-run gas oil than the catalyst prepared without one.