Bioethanol Conversion into Propylene over Various Zeolite Catalysts: Reaction Optimization and Catalyst Deactivation

Abstract

Catalytic conversions of bioethanol to propylene were investigated over different zeolite catalysts. H-ZSM-5 (SiO2/Al2O3 = 80) was found to be the most effective for propylene production. Furthermore, H-ZSM-5 (SiO2/Al2O3 = 80) was investigated under different variables of catalytic reaction (calcination temperature, feed composition, reaction temperature, and time on stream) for the conversion of ethanol to propylene. The H-ZSM-5(80) catalysts calcined at 600 °C showed the highest propylene yield. The moderate acidic site on ZSM-5 is required for the production of propylene. The activity on ZSM-5 is independent of the ethanol feed composition. H-ZSM-5 catalyst deactivation was observed, owing to dealumination. The highest propylene yield was 23.4% obtained over HZSM-5(80). Propylene, butene, and ≥C5 olefins were formed by parallel reaction from ethylene. Olefins were converted to each paraffin by sequential hydrogenation reaction. HZSM-5(80) catalyst is a promising catalyst not only for ethanol but also for the conversion of bioethanol to light olefins.

Silver-Loaded Chabazite in Ethanol-to-Hydrocarbon Process—Operando FT-IR and UV-Vis Spectroscopic Studies

“…The conversion of ethanol into hydrocarbons (ETH) is an important example [ 1 ]. Ethanol can be easily derived from bioresources such as the fermentation processes of sugars or forestry and municipal organic waste [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…Zeolites have proven to be prominently useful catalysts in converting ethanol into hydrocarbons, specifically, propylene [ 3 , 4 ]. The catalytic properties of zeolites vary depending on the structural features, such as the size and arrangement of channels and pores and the strength of acid sites.…”

“…It is, therefore, essential to cover various parameters of zeolites in studying ethanol conversion. H-ZSM-5 (Si/Al = 40) has been found to be very efficient in propylene production from ethanol; however, fast deactivation was observed due to dealumination [ 3 ]. Further, the moderately acidic sites are the most active in ethanol conversion [ 5 ].…”

Bioethanol as a potential eco‐friendlier feedstock for catalytic production of fuels and petrochemicals

“…Iwamoto 15 studied the catalytic transformation of bioethanol to propylene, focusing on the chemical pathways and the different catalysts used for the process. A follow‐up study to that work has just been conducted by Xia et al ., 16 focusing on the use of zeolite‐based catalysts, process optimization, and catalyst deactivation in the conversion of bioethanol to propylene. Phung 17 sheds light on the current perspective of bioethanol conversion technologies by presenting the likely reaction processes involved in the volatilization of bioethanol to hydrocarbons.…”