INTERACTION BETWEEN NICKEL AND MOLYBDENUM IN NI-MO AL2O3 CATALYSTS - II - CO HYDROGENATION/

A series of alumina supported Ni, Mo and Ni-Mo catalysts prepared by i mpregnation or coimpregnation were tested to investigate the effects o f Ni-Mo interaction on their structural properties and activity/select ivity characteristics in CO hydrogenation. The Ni and Mo contents of t he catalysts were varied between 0-15 wt% according to a factorial exp erimental design. The results of CO hydrogenation tests reveal that th e specific activity of the active sites changes with Mo loading, Ni:Mo molar ratio and total metal loading. Introducing Mo as the second met al increases the total hydrocarbon production as well as the C-2-C-4 h ydrocarbons selectivity in the 498-573 K temperature range. Lower H-2/ CO molar ratios increase C-2-C-4 selectivity, and this effect is enhan ced with Mo addition especially to samples with higher Ni loading. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.