Study on Mesoporous Al-SBA-15 with Enhanced Acidity and Hydrothermal Stability for Heavy Oil Hydrocracking Conversion

Abstract

To increase heavy oil conversion by hydrocracking, the larger pore opening mesoporous materials with enhanced acidity and hydrothermal stability are required. A series of mesoporous Al-SBA-15 was studied in acid-free and different HCl concentration solutions with various initial SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 molar ratio. The final product samples were characterized with N 2 adsorption, SAXS/XRD, NH 3-TPD, TEM, 28 Si NMR, and 27 Al NMR. The results concluded that the acid-free and weak acidic medium favor the formation of the Al-SBA-15 with better textual properties, higher acidity, and higher wall-thickness. A considerable amount of Al was present in the tetrahedral form.