Iranian Journal of Oil and Gas Science and Technology
Quarterly Publication

Template-dependent structuring of boehmite-modified NiMo/ZSM-5 catalysts prepared with commercial halloysite for hydrodesulfurization of heavy naphtha and heavy gas oil

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Alimorad Rashidi 1
Tahereh Mojtahed 2
Fereshteh A bbasi Oghani 3
Sima Askari 3

1 Nanotechnology research center ,research institute of petroleum industry

2 Department of Chemistry, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22050/ijogst.2026.594980.1787
Abstract
Commercial halloysite nanotubes were incorporated into ZSM-5 synthesis gels prepared either without an organic structure-directing agent or with tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr). After ammonium exchange, the supports were shaped with 30 wt% boehmite and impregnated with nominal 6 wt% Ni and 12 wt% Mo. The final catalysts were examined by XRD, ICP-OES, N₂ physisorption, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and NH₃-TPD, and were evaluated in dedicated 24 h fixed-bed hydrodesulfurization runs using real heavy naphtha (2500 ppmw S) and heavy gas oil (5000 ppmw S). ICP-OES gave comparable metal contents for NiMo/H-Z5-TF-Al and NiMo/H-Z5-T-Al. The TPABr-assisted catalyst developed a BET area of 99.28 m² g⁻¹ and a total pore volume of 0.180 cm³ g⁻¹, compared with 19.33 m² g⁻¹ and 0.046 cm³ g⁻¹ for the template-free formulation. Total NH₃ desorption increased from 0.1957 to 0.2355 mmol g⁻¹. Under the selected operating points, sulfur removal over the template-free and TPABr-assisted catalysts reached 91.5 and 94.3% for heavy naphtha and 87.2 and 90.1% for heavy gas oil, respectively. The TPABr-assisted formulation attained the higher removal at lower selected temperature and pressure for both feeds, whereas the template-free route retained substantial conversion without an organic structure-directing agent. The results connect synthesis route, boehmite-shaped texture, acidity-related capacity, and attainable HDS response for two refinery streams.

Keywords

Hydrodesulfurization
NiMo catalyst
ZSM-5
Halloysite
Refinery streams
Subjects
Iranian Journal of Oil and Gas Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 September 2026

  • Receive Date 01 August 2026
  • Revise Date 17 September 2026
  • Accept Date 23 September 2026

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