Influence of pseudoboehmite properties on characteristics of CoMo/ASA-Al2O3 catalysts for selective hydrotreating of FCC gasoline

The influence of alumina precursor (pseudoboehmites) in CoMo/ASA + Al2O3 catalysts on catalytic activity in FCC gasoline hydrotreating has been studied. Pseudoboehmites prepared by alcoholate, precipitate and hydrothermal technologies were used. Parent powders, supports and catalysts were characterized by low-temperature N2 adsorption, TPD of ammonia, STEM, HRTEM, UV–vis spectroscopy. Catalysts were tested in hydrotreating of the model FCC gasoline feedstock. It is shown that the choice of pseudoboehmite has significant effect on textural, acid and mechanical properties of supports and catalysts, as well as dispersity of the active phase. The type of pseudoboehmite affects the amount of tetrahedral cobalt in catalysts that changes surface activity per 1 g of the catalyst. The linear dependence between the ratio of the medium and weak acid sites and catalyst selectivity was found. It is established that isomerizing activity is higher than the hydrogenating one, when medium/weak acid sites ratio in the catalyst is lower than 1.85.