Performance of MFI Zeolite Catalysts in n-heptane Conversion Reaction Test

Abstract

The aromatization of n-heptane, one of the main components of light naphtha, has been investigated over HZSM-5 (Si/Al = 33.9) and Zn-HZSM-5: Zn1-HZSM-5 (0.86% Zn); Zn2-HZSM-5 (1.35% Zn) and Zn3-HZSM-5 (2.89% Zn) catalysts prepared by the ion exchange with 10M aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2. The catalytic activity measurement was performed by the chromatographic pulse method in the temperature range of 673 - 823K. The presence of zinc in Zn-HZSM-5 catalysts provided a significant increase in total aromatics selectivity due to the improvement of dehydrogenation activity by Zn incorporation. The Zn species facilitated the aromatization by converting paraffin�s into corresponding olefins which, in turn, were the aromatics precursors. Therefore, both acidity and zinc incorporation played important roles in the aromatization of n-heptane. Over 773 K the activity and selectivity of the Zn-HZSM-5 catalysts decrease very probably due to the loss of zinc ions.