Synthesis and optimization of Ni/Mo-impregnated kaolin-based ZSM-5 as a catalytic hydrocracking catalyst for heavy petroleum distillates†

Enhancing the Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) catalytic hydrocracking performance has been of interest in petrochemical processes. The synthesis of bifunctional Ni/Mo-impregnated ZSM-5 catalysts for catalytic hydrocracking of heavy distillate fractions of petroleum with a raw material of Badau Belitung kaolin was conducted as an effort to create more effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly catalysts. Based on the catalytic performance test results, Ni/Mo ZSM-5 has a good ability as a catalyst for catalytic hydrocracking of petroleum, producing medium and light distillate fractions. The catalytic hydrocracking of heavy petroleum distillates was performed under operating conditions of a final temperature of 425 °C and a maximum operating pressure of 60 bar (6 MPa), resulting in two optimum synthesis formulae, namely formula A and formula B. The Ni/Mo ZSM-5 formula A and formula B catalysts are capable of converting the heavy distillate of petroleum into medium and light fractions of 92.47% and 92.06% by mass, respectively. Commercial Ni/Mo γ-alumina and commercial Ni/Mo ZSM-5 catalysts were chosen as comparisons, yielding lower performance under the same operating conditions, with conversions of 70.40% and 87.19% by mass, respectively.