Effect of Super Acid and Heteropolyacid on Residue Hydroprocessing

Abstract Production of highly branched aromatics and saturates from conversion of vacuum residue is of interest for production of high octane gasoline, gasoil, jet fuels and lubricants. In this study vacuum residue is hydroprocessed with superacid and hetropolyacid based catalysts at severe reaction conditions: 400-440 p C reaction temperature, 100 bar of hydrogen pressure, 4-8 hours of reaction run time. A moderate conversion level, over 85% achieved with Mo-superacid at given reaction conditions. Upto 90% residue conversion and hydrotreating activities like HDM, HDS and HDAsp observed with Mo based heteropolyacid. Mo based acid catalysts have superiority over W based catalysts. Product distribution indicated that most part of liquid yield contain gasoil than gasoline.