Optimization of Kerosene Aromatization over Ni/HY Catalysts Using Response Surface Methodology

In this research, several Ni/Y catalysts were prepared to perform kerosene aromatization. The Na+ cation of Y zeolite was exchanged with NH4+, and then Ni/HY catalysts were synthesized through the precipitation-deposition method. The properties of the samples were characterized by XRD, EDX, and BET. In addition, the Response Surface Method in combination with a three-factor Central Composite Design was employed to optimize the conditions of the reaction over Ni/HY catalysts. The three independent variables were: Ni content of the catalysts, reaction time, and temperature. Analysis of aromatic yield as the response was performed to survey the importance of these independent variables. Results of numerical optimization revealed that maximum operation conditions were 5%Ni-loading at a temperature 450ºC and a reaction time of 120min, in which aromatic yield was 55.74%. This was in agreement with the predicted aromatic content (52.62%) in this condition. Acceptable value for correlation coefficient (R2= 0.989), root mean square error (RMSE = 0.77), and standard error of prediction (SEP = 1.82) was obtained. These low values confirmed the adequacy and statistical significance of the model to predict an adequate response.