Hydroisomerization Catalysts for High-Quality Diesel Fuel Production

Abstract

Upgrading the properties of diesel fractions is considered one of the crucial processes in the petrochemical industry; and for this purpose in laboratory-scale researching it is studied on the base of the hydroisomerization of n-hexadecane as a main model reaction. Recently, zeolite-based bifunctional catalysts have proven their efficiency due to their remarkable acidity, shape-selectivity and relative resistance to deactivation. In this review, different topological-type zeolite-based catalysts, the mechanism of their catalytic effect in n-C16 isomerization, and the principles of shape-selectivity are reviewed. A comparison of their structural-operational characteristics is made. The impact of some feedstock impurities on the catalyst’s performance and deactivation due to carbonaceous deposits as well as various modern eco-friendly cost-effective synthesis techniques are also discussed.