Synthesis and Evaluation of a Dual-Structured Ni-Nano Silica/CoMo-Al2O3 Catalyst for Enhanced Sulfur Removal from Kerosene via Advanced Hydrodesulfurization Techniques

Abstract

This study examines the use of a new composite catalyst made of Ni-Nano silica coated on CoMo/Al₂O₃ to remove sulfur compounds from kerosene by hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The technological and environmental difficulties caused by sulfur in fuels, including its role in acid rain and catalyst poisoning, are the driving forces. The Ni/Nano-silica composite was created by synthesizing a nanosilica support using the sol-gel process and impregnating it with nickel nitrate. After that, this composite was physically combined with ground CoMo/Al₂O₃, and with bentonite that used as a binder to form it. The catalyst's mesoporous structure (10.85 nm) showed a uniform dispersion of active metals, and large surface area (198.13 m²/g, compared with that used in industrial refinery) and all other tests, mainly XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and BET investigations.
A laboratory-scale hydrotreating unit with variable temperatures (315–471°C), hydrogen pressures (18–39 bar), and liquid hourly space velocities (1–4 h⁻¹) with constant H₂/Oil ratio at was used to test the catalyst. The findings showed that these factors had a significant impact on the efficiency of sulfur removal. Where at 471°C, 39 bar, and LHSV of 1 h⁻¹, the highest desulfurization performance of 99.47% was attained.. The work demonstrates that Ni-Nano silica-coated CoMo/Al₂O₃ is a successful method for deep desulfurization of kerosene, providing a viable path toward the production of environmentally acceptable ultra-low sulfur fuels.