Advances in the Hydrocracking Catalysts

Dear Colleagues,

The transportation fuels and chemicals from petroleum and coal still play a predominant role in social and economic life; although, recently, a variety of new energy sources have rapidly emerged. Hydrocracking is considered to be an efficient and practical technology for converting heavy hydrocarbons into high-value fuels and chemicals. Generally, the hydrocracking process is conducted in the presence of hydrogen and a suitable catalyst; thus, the catalyst is the key; it determines the feedstock conversion, goal product selectivity, lift-time, and even economic benefit.

Hydrocracking is typically carried out using a bifunctional catalyst, which is composed of acidic support to provide a cracking function and active metals to provide a hydrogenation function. Alumina, amorphous silica-alumina, multiple kinds of zeolites or their combinations, as well as noble metals, such as Pt, Pd, etc., are potential supports, and transitional metals, such as Mo, W, Ni, Co, etc., are promising metal phases. Additionally, a homogeneous catalyst, especially an oil-soluble dispersion catalyst, has attracted attention since slurry-phase hydrocracking technology was developed in recent years. The major challenge for hydrocracking technology is the development of an effective catalyst with excellent activity, selectivity, stability and economic consideration toward the desired product.

The main aim of this Special Issue is to provide the most recent advancements in the field of hydrocracking catalysis, from homogeneous to heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic material design and synthesis and characterization, to the performances in the hydrocracking of various feedstocks, including vacuum residue, vacuum gas oil, light cycle oil, Fischer–Tropsch wax, non-edible vegetable oil, waste plastics, etc. The basic scope relevant to this Special Issue is as follows:

• Preparation and characterization of a bi-functional catalyst;
• Synthesis and characterization of a homogeneous catalyst;
• Synthesis of a hierarchical zeolite applied in hydrocracking;
• Synthesis of porous material applied in hydrocracking;
• Catalysts used for producing fuels;
• Catalysts used for producing chemicals;
• The balanced relationship between cracking function and hydrogenation function.

Dr. Qingyan Cui
Guest Editor

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• hydrocracking catalysts
• bi-functional catalyst
• acidic supports
• porous material
• zeolite
• oil-soluble catalysts
• hydrogenation