Activity of Supported and In Situ Synthesized Beta Zeolite Catalysts in the Hydrocracking of Vacuum Gas Oil

Nickel–tungsten sulfide catalysts synthesized by two methods—conventional supporting of active components and in situ synthesis in the reaction medium—have been characterized by a complex of physicochemical analysis methods. The catalysts have been compared with respect to their activity in the hydrocracking of vacuum gas oil (VGO) in a batch mode under conditions of varying temperature (380–400°C), reaction time (3–10 h), and zeolite (4–8 wt %) and NiW content (0.85–1.7 wt %). It has been shown that the in situ synthesized catalyst is superior in the hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization of VGO owing to the accessibility of active catalyst sites.