Extraction of Cobalt from Hydrotreating Catalysts Using Supercritical Ammonia

Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of leaching cobalt from a hydrotreating catalyst material using supercritical aqueous ammonia solvents. The effects on cobalt extraction caused by variations in solvent composition, pressure and temperature, including subcritical conditions, were investigated. Cobalt in the catalyst material was leachable at supercritical and subcritical solvent phase conditions. Cobalt extraction at supercritical phase conditions was generally higher than extraction obtained at any of the other pressure - temperature conditions tested. Leaching enhancement at supercritical conditions was determined not to be solely the result of simple pressure or temperature effects. Rather, leaching enhancement is probably caused by the improved transport properties exhibited by supercritical fluid solvents.