Abstract

The influence of P concentration on the synergism between Co/?-Al 2O 3 or Ni/?-Al 2O 3 and Mo/?-Al 2O 3 stacked beds separated by a 3-mm stack of P x/?-Al 2O 3 is studied in the hydrodesulphurization of gasoil under operating conditions similar to those of industry. The results shown increased Co//Mo and Ni//Mo synergism related to changes in zero point of charge (ZPC), acid strength, and band intensities of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy due to the incorporation of P into the ?-Al 2O 3 used as separator. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.