Methods to Calculate Hydrogen Consumption during Hydrocracking Experiments in Batch Reactors

Different approaches are described to quantify hydrogen consumption, gas production, and mass balances in batch reactors for conducting hydrocracking experiments. The methods studied were by weight, by measuring the volume of gas loaded and unloaded from the reactor (with gas syringe and with gasometer), and by calculating the gas volume with an equation of state. All of the approaches proved to be adequate with low losses of mass. Experimental data of slurry-phase partial hydrocracking with mineral catalyst (molybdenite and hematite) conducted in reactors of different size were used to apply the various methods. The size of the reactor did not have a significant effect on the properties of the products, although a larger reactor size allows for a better precision in the measurement of the amount of feeds and products.