Hydrocracking of heavy petroleum oils over transition metal-loaded Y-type zeolites

Hydrocracking of petroleum heavy oils using transition metal-loaded zeolite catalyst was examined. Deasphalted oil (DAO) derived from vacuum residue of a mixture of Arabian light and medium crudes was successfully converted to gasoline fraction, attaining yield of more than 70%, using palladium and nickel co-loaded Y-type zeolite catalyst, at 350°C for 1 h, in H₂ pressurized to 4.9 MPa. The mechanism of this hydrocracking process is discussed briefly. The authors also tried hydrocracking of fraction heavier than DAO, i.e. maltene, this affording gaseous products (C₂-C₄) and gasoline fraction. 35% and 52%, respectively, under the following conditions: 400°C, for 3 h, in H₂ pressurized to 6.9 MPa, over the same catalyst.