Gasoil Hydro-desulfurization using Catalyst synthesized from Iraqi Kaolin Clay: Optimization with Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

This search aim to study the feasibility of hydro-desulfurization (HDS) of gas oil in fixed bed reactor by using economic support catalyst alumina meta kaolin (AMK) under various operating condition, i.e. Temp. (240−320 ◦C), Press. (3–12 bar), WHSV (2–6 h−1) at H2/HC ratio (50 vol./vol.). The support catalyst was prepared from Iraq kaolin and characterization by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Experimental design was used to determine which parameter (e.g. temperature, pressure and WHSV) has a greater influence on the obtained HDS and the optimum condition of process. The result shows that optimum condition given (Temp. 300 C, Press. 12 bar and WHSV 2 h-1) and all parameter have significant implication in the process