Effect of catalysts on yields of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in hydrocracking of coal volatile matter

The use of catalysts for upgrading volatile matter from hydropyrolysis of Millmerran coal was investigated. The activities of Mo, W, CoMo, NiMo and NiW catalysts, all loaded on Al2O3, together with various zeolites were tested for the hydrocracking of coal volatile matter under high hydrogen pressure. The activities of the metal-loaded catalysts reached maxima at a moderate metal loading. Of all the catalysts, USY-zeolite exhibited the highest activity. The BTX yield reached 14.0 wt% (daf) or 16.7 wt% (carbon basis) at a pyrolysis temperature of 800°C and a post-cracking temperature of 600°C under a hydrogen pressure of 5 MPa.