HYDROTREATMENT OF ATHABASCA BITUMEN-DERIVED GAS OIL OVER NI-MO, NI-W,AND CO-MO CATALYSTS

The hydrotreatment of Athabasca bitumen derived heavy gas oil containi ng 4.08% S and 0.49% N was carried out in a trickle bed reactor over N i-W, Ni-Mo, and Co-Mo catalysts supported on zeolite-alumina-silica at 623-698 K, LHSV of 1-4, gas flow rate of 890 m3H2/m3oil (5000 sef/bbl ), and pressure of 6.89 MPa. Analyses for viscosity, density, aniline point, ASTM mid boiling point distillation, C/H ratio, and percentage of N and S in the final product were carried out to characterize the p roduct oil. The amounts of N and S removed indicated the hydrodenitrog enation and hydrodesulfurization activity of the catalysts. Results of zeolite-alumina-silica-supported catalysts are compared to those obta ined with commercially available Ni-Mo, Ni-W, and Co-Mo on gamma-alumi na. Ni-Mo supported on zeolite-alumina-silica was most active and coul d remove as much as 99% S and 89% N present in the oil at 698 K. The d ata for HDN and HDS fitted the pseudo first order model. The kinetic m odel is described in detail.