Alumina hydroforming

Rudershausen, C.G. and Watson, C.C., "Variables affecting activity of molybdena-alumina hydroforming catalyst in aromatization of cyclohexane", Chem. Eng. Sci, 3, 110 (1954). 

Laboratory investigation revealed that sodium, which was present in the support to the extent of several tenths of 1%, had a profound effect on stability and activity of the moiybdena-alumina catalyst. Over a period of time it was possible to alter the procedure for preparing the support on successive occasions until the catalyst contained much less than 0.1% sodium oxide. The reduction in sodium content of the support was immediately reflected in improved catalyst life. Ultimately the life was extended to 9 to 12 months before replacement. Various forms of alumina have been used as a support, including alumina gel and a stabilized alumina gel. Moiybdena-alumina catalyst has been employed exclusively in the eight commercial plants previously referred to. Today the majority of refiners who operate hydroformers are using molybdena on alumina gel as a catalyst. The molybdic oxide content of the catalyst is somewhat below 10%. Although similar to the original catalyst as far as chemical composition is concerned, it possesses superior activity and life. 

Hydroforming. The first commercial catalytic reforming plant was built around 1940. The process used a molybdena-on-alumina catalyst at about 475-550°C under 10-20 atm pressure, a large part of which was due to hydrogen.95 The process was termed hydroforming, which refers to reforming in the presence of hydrogen. 

However, the major source of these hydrocarbons is now petroleum. Although aromatic compounds do occur naturally in petroleum, they are mainly obtained by the process of catalytic reforming, in which aliphatic hydrocarbons are aromatized through dehydrogenation, cyclization and isomerization. The process, which is also known as hydroforming, is carried out under pressure at 480-550 °C in the presence of a catalyst, typically chromium(III) oxide or alumina. Benzene is thus produced from... 

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