CATALYTIC-HYDROGENATION OF ANTHRACENE OIL WITH RED MUD

Red mud, and red mud activated by dissolution in hydrochloric acid and reprecipitation with ammonia, were tested as catalysts for the hydrog enation of an anthracene oil in a trickle-bed reactor. Conversion data were determined for the different polyaromatic compounds in the anthr acene oil. Red mud shows appreciable catalytic activity, which is enha nced by the activation. Although both red mud and activated red mud ar e less active than a commercial Ni-Mo/gamma-alumina hydrotreating cata lyst, the difference in activity is smaller when conversion to hydroar omatics instead of total conversion of reactants is Considered.