Influence of Pt-Re interaction on activity and selectivity of reforming catalysts

The influence of the preparation procedure on the Pt and Re interaction in Pt-Re/Al2O3 reforming catalysts has been studied, Three different preparation procedures have been used: the classical coimpregnation and successive impregnation techniques, and the recently reported catalytic reduction method. Catalyst activation was done either by direct reduction after metal deposition, or by calcination and reduction. The degree of interaction of the metals was indirectly measured by the cyclopentane hydrogenolysis reaction. It has been found that interaction between Pt and Re increases according to the sequence: coimpregnation (calcined and reduced), catalytic reduction (calcined and reduced), successive impregnations (reduced catalysts) and catalytic reduction (reduced catalysts). Calcination greatly diminishes the Pt-Re metal-metal interaction, as measured by cyclopentane hydrogenolysis. After sulfiding, the catalysts prepared by catalytic reduction with a calcination and reduction treatment display the highest n-heptane dehydrocyclization activity. Catalysts only reduced also have good activity for this reaction, but with poor stability.