Low-temperature hydrogenation of aromatics over noble metal catalysts in the presence of sulfur compound

A continuous flow fixed-bed reactor was used for the hydrogenation of tetralin to decalins in the presence of benzothiophene as a model reaction for saturation of aromatics in diesel and jet fuel feedstock. As noble metal catalysts, Pd and Pt supported on alumina, titania and some zeolites were prepared and examined. The loading density of Pd supported on titania was higher than that of other catalysts. The advantages of zeolite-supported Pd catalysts were more apparent in terms of higher conversion even at lower catalyst loading compared to the case with alumina-supported Pd catalyst. Pd catalysts supported on Y zeolites, mordenite, and MCM-41 were more sulfur-resistant and stable than other Pd catalysts when the sulfur/metal ratio was > 1:1.