Selective HDS of DBT using a K2O-modified CoMoW/Al2O3-MgO catalytic formulation

[Display omitted] •Novel catalytic formulation with good selectivity towards direct desulfurization was obtained.•The addition of magnesia and potash to the catalytic support decreases the number of acid sites.•Low hydrogenating function increases selectivity toward BP products. Novel catalytic formulation CoMoW/Al2O3-MgO-K2O with low acidity and good selectivity towards direct desulphurization was obtained. It was observed that the addition of magnesia and potash to the catalytic support decreases the total number of acid sites determined through TPD of NH3. Supports were impregnated with a solution containing the metallic precursors of CoMoW. From images obtained by TEM was made the statistical analyses of the stacking and slab length of MoS2 and WS2 crystallites, slabs larger and more stacked for the catalytic formulation containing K2O were observed. Their catalytic activity was evaluated through HDS of DBT to investigate their catalytic performance. Products such as BP, DCH and CHB were quantified to obtain selectivity through the ratio of BP/(CHB + DCH). Even when the catalytic formulation with low acidity shows a good selectivity the global activity decreases.