Catalyst aged, metal deposition profiles

Information relating to the diffusion of metal-bearing compounds in catalytic materials at reaction conditions has been obtained indirectly through classic diffusion and reaction theory. Shah and Paraskos (1975) calculated effective diffusitivities of 7 x 10-8 and 3 x 10-8 cm2/sec for V and Ni compounds in reduced Kuwait crude at 760°F. These low values may be indicative of a small-pore HDS catalyst. In contrast, Sato et al. (1971) report that the effective diffusivity of vanadium compounds was one-tenth that of the nickel compounds on the basis of metal deposition profiles in aged catalysts. This large difference may be influenced by relative adsorption strengths not explicitly considered in their analysis. 

Metal Deposition Profiles in Aged Hydrotreating Catalysts... 

Laboratory studies on both model compounds and real residuum feedstocks under commercial conditions have shown that the metal deposit profile on aged catalyst pellets is often M shaped, having a concentration maximum at some internal radial position. The simple first- or second-order kinetics employed by the models discussed cannot predict such a profile. This profile is a consequence of the sequential path for HDM where the hydrogenated intermediate B must first be formed from the original oil compound A prior to forming the deposit C ... 

In addition to catalyst pore structure, catalytic metals content can also influence the distribution of deposited metals. Vanadium radial profile comparisons of aged catalysts demonstrated that a high concentration of Co + Mo increases the reaction rate relative to diffusion, lowering the effectiveness factor and the distribution parameter (Pazos et al., 1983). While minimizing the content of Co and Mo on the catalyst is effective for increasing the effectiveness factor for HDM, it may also reduce the reaction rate for the HDS reactions. Lower space velocity or larger reactors would then be needed to attain the same desulfurization severity. 

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