Catalyst for sulphur removal from hydrocarbons
AssigneeAlberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority
InventorsPhilip M. Boorman, Tristram Chivers, Donald F. Tavares, Kalabeerappa N. Mahadev
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Abstract
A novel catalyst is provided which is effective in removing at least a portion of the sulphur contained in hydrocarbons, without the use of an external hydrogen source. The catalyst is a sulphided mixture, on a catalyst support, of (a) a sulphide of one or more of the transition metals iron, vanadium, molybdenum and copper, (b) a sulphide of either sodium or potassium, and (c) a hydroxide of either sodium or potassium. Sulphur removal with the catalyst is demonstrated with oil sand bitumen, heavy crude oil and asphaltenes.
Claims8
A process for producing a catalyst composition, comprising:
- slurrying together, in an aqueous solution, (a) a sulphide of a transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, vanadium, molydenum, copper and mixtures thereof, (b) a sulphide of an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium, and (c) a hydroxide of an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium;
- impregnating the slurry onto a catalyst support;
- drying the slurry and support at an elevated temperature;
- sulphiding the dried mixtures;
- and
- heating the sulphided mixture to remove excess sulphide therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.