The catalytic activity of molybdenum carbide (MoCx), nitride (MoNx), and phosphide (MoPx) was compared in the hydrotreatment of rapeseed oil performed in a continuous fixed bed reactor at 350–390 °C, 5.5 MPa and
various Weight Hourly Space Velocities (WHSV). The deoxygenation activity was in the following order: MoCx > MoNx > > MoPx. In the case of MoCx, the temperature increase resulted in a decrease of the deoxygenation activity due to the competitive hydrocracking. Wherein, MoNx showed the highest tendency to hydrocracking and very strong effect of WHSV at 350 °C, which then became less significant at higher reaction temperatures. While MoPx activity was strongly influenced by the mass transfer limitations.
