Silicon doping effect on the properties of the hydrotreating catalysts of FCC feedstock pretreatment

Influence of Si addition at the stage of boehmite preparation on properties of NiMo/Al2O3 catalysts for FCC feedstock pretreatment have been studied. The series of boehmites doped by PDMS at the stage of hydrothermal treatment was prepared. Si/Al molar ratio was 0, 0.01, 0.015 and 0.02. Boehmites were used for supports and catalysts preparation. Boehmites, supports and catalysts have been characterized by XRD, TGA, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, IR spectroscopy, UV–Vis, 29Si MAS NMR, HRTEM, EDX, XPS. Catalysts were tested in hydrotreating of FCC feedstock. It is shown that there are changes in morphology of boehmite particles and textural characteristics of aluminas. Introduction of Si to alumina induces formation of wider mesopores and blocks part of the Lewis acid sites of alumina. Testing of catalysts in hydrotreating of FCC feedstock shows that the catalyst with Si/Al ratio of 0.01 in boehmite has the best combination of hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation activities.