Upgrading of coal pyrolysis products: Catalytic hydrocracking of bicyclic compounds

Abstract A continuous flow device was used to investigate the catalytic hydrocracking of bicyclic compounds with the objective of obtaining monocyclic hydrocarbons namely benzene, toluene and xylene (B.T.X.). Conversion of bicyclic model molecules (naphthalene, tetralin, decalin) was tested on several types of catalysts prepared in this laboratory. A yield of 47% BTX by weight was obtained at 670 K under 0.4 MPa with a H 2 /HC ratio of 11.5 and CrMoBa on Al 2 O 3 as catalyst.