Effect of Zeolite-Y Modification on Crude-Oil Direct Hydrocracking

To study the role of modified zeolite-Y-based hydrocracking catalyst in crude-oil hydroconversion, various hydrocracking catalysts were synthesized with various zeolites. The zeolites and catalysts were characterized with nitrogen adsorption (N2-adsorption), small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, and the ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). Their reaction performance was evaluated with crude oil under commercial hydrocracker operating conditions in a pilot plant unit. The results showed that the catalysts with high acidity, strong acid sites, and mesopores can enhance the crude conversion. The acidity and mesoporosity of the zeolite and the catalysts play critical roles in determining the catalyst performance.