Hydrodesulphurisation activity of CoMo catalyst supported on multi wall carbon nanotube: sulphur species study

Multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) supported CoMo catalyst was prepared and hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) activity of naphtha was evaluated in a fixed bed down flow reactor. Activity test experiments were conducted at a temperature of 310°C, pressure of 15 bar and liquid hourly space velocity of 4/h. The conditions were close to those of industrial practice. The structure of the MWCNT was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and accelerated surface area and porosity system (ASAP). The catalyst was characterised by X-ray diffraction, SEM, energy dispersive X-ray, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, TEM and ASAP. Also for sulphur species study, naphtha feed and product were analysed by gas chromatography-sulphur chemiluminescence detection. Catalytic activity test indicated that MWCNT is a suitable support for HDS catalyst. Sulphur conversion of the catalyst was 88%. Also sulphur species comparison showed that all the sulphur types were converted.