Cobalt -molybdenum-sulfur catalysts mechanism

FeS also catalyzes the shift reaction, but its activity is only half that of Fe,04 [592]-[594], In principle the catalyst can tolerate up to 500 or 1000 ppm H2S, but with a considerable loss of mechanical strength, which is additionally affected by other contaminants in the gas, such as soot and traces of formic acid. For this reason the so-called dirty shift catalyst is used in this case, which was originally introduced by BASF [639]. This cobalt-molybdenum-alumina catalyst [603], [630], [640]-[644] is present under reaction conditions in sulfidized form and requires for its performance a sulfur content in the gas in excess of 1 g S/m3. Reaction temperatures are between 230 and 500 °C. COS is not hydrolyzed on dirty shift catalysts, but may be removed in the subsequent sour-gas removal stage using the Rectisol process. Separate hydrolysis on alumina based catalysts is possible at temperatures below 200 °C [603],... 

In order to achieve the goal of reducing sulfur levels in fuels, there is a clear need for understanding the mechanism of the reaction (Chapter 4) in conjunction with the nature of the catalyst and support. Most of the work has been carried out with the traditional cobalt-molybdenum catalyst supported on alumina. This system is a time-tested and effective. 

The two cobalt-molybdenum catalysts were characterized for their physical properties surface area (ASTM D-3663), pore volume, and average pore diameter (ASTM D-4222), mechanical properties crushing strength (ASTM D-4179), and attrition loss (ASTM D-4058), chemical composition, as well as carbon and sulfur content by coulometry. 

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