Effects of metal/modenite on product selectivity of normal hexane conversion

Abstract

Metal/mordenite catalysts were prepared by ion-exchange and impregnation methods. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XRF, NH3-TPD, BET and TGA. They were used as the catalyst for the conversion of n-hexane. Various parameters influencing the reaction such as metal loading method, metal type (Pd, Pt, Ga, and Zn), potassium content, time on stream, and type of catalyst mixture (Ga/Al2O3, ZrO2, MgO, MCM-41, Bentonite, and K-Bentonite) were investigated. It was found that 1%Pt1%Ga/HM prepared by impregnation method gave highest selectivity for isomerization (68.1%) when performed at 400°C, 1 h, WHSV of 1 h-1 and catalyst weight of 1 g. Potassium-containing catalyst decreased cracking products when compared with non-potassium catalyst. After mixing the 1%Pt1%Ga/HM catalyst with either MCM-41 or MgO, aromatic products were increased because total basicity was increased. For 1%Pt1%Ga/HM catalyst mixed with K-bentonite, the isomerization products were increased by acid function. In addition, it was shown that the catalyst can be reused for upto three times.