Hierarchical nano zeolite-Y hydrocracking composite fibers with highly efficient hydrocracking capability

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Hydrocracking catalysts often suffer from nanoparticle agglomeration, hindering reactant accessibility and catalytic efficiency.
• Zeolite Y-based catalysts are crucial for hydrocracking but can benefit from improved structural properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel nanofibrous hydrocracking catalyst based on nano zeolite Y-NiO-WO3.
• To investigate the impact of the nanofiber morphology on catalyst performance, accessibility, and coke formation during n-heptane hydrocracking.

Main Methods:

• Reshaping nano zeolite Y-NiO-WO3 into a nanofibrous form.
• Characterization using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) for elemental distribution and BET analysis for mesoporosity.
• Testing the catalyst in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor for n-heptane hydrocracking at 350 °C and 400 °C.

Main Results:

• The nanofibrous catalyst demonstrated superior mechanical strength and uniform elemental distribution.
• Achieved high total n-heptane conversion (98.81 wt% at 350 °C and 96.8 wt% at 400 °C).
• Produced low amounts of coke (0.40 wt% at 350 °C and 1.05 wt% at 400 °C).

Conclusions:

• The nanofiber shape significantly enhances reactant accessibility by preventing nanoparticle agglomeration.
• Improved diffusion and accessibility due to the fibrous structure and mesoporosity lead to superior hydrocracking performance.
• This novel nanofibrous catalyst offers a promising alternative for efficient n-heptane hydrocracking with reduced deactivation.