Laterite As a Catalyst for the Hydrotreatment of Heavy Oil .2. Influence of Chemical and Thermal Treatments On the Hds and Hdm Activity

Effects of thermal treatment and iron extraction by the dithionate method (DCB) on the pore size distribution of laterite, and influence of iron and molybdenum impregnation on hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodemetallization (HDM) of natural DAO Morishal feedstock, were investigated. Thermal treatment up to 400°C noticeably improves pore size distribution and surface area. Higher temperatures drastically decrease the specific surface area, although the total pore volume remains constant. Iron extraction of laterite calcined at 550°C decreases HDS activity, but improves HDM activity. On the contrary, iron and molybdenum impregnation noticeably increases HDS activity and does not improve the HDM function.