The Effect of Binders on the Morphology and Performance of HZY/HZM-5 Zeolite Catalysts in Cracking n-heptane to Light Olefins

Abstract

Light olefins (ethylene and propylene) are essential building blocks of the chemical industry. Fluid catalytic cracking and steam cracking are the key technologies to produce light olefins. However, these technologies can no longer satisfy the current demand for light olefins. Previous studies have found the catalyst formulation (ZY, ZSM-5, and binder) increased production with the most outstanding results using the catalytic cracking process. This study reports catalyst formulations with different loading of ZSM-5 (5%,10%, and 20%). The performance of catalysts were tested in the catalytic cracking of n-heptane as a model compound of light naphtha for the production of light olefins at 500 ºC and atmospherical pressure. The results of the tests showed high performance in terms of increased light olefins yield (24 - 64%) and improved C2 and C3 selectivity (35 %) over ZY/ZM/K/B(20:20:30:30) and ZY/ZM/K(20:20:60) with alkene/alkane= ~1.33 and reduction into the amount of undesired C1-C5 alkanes (3%). Therefore, adding ZSM-5 (20%) to catalyst formulation enhances the activity and shape selectivity of the catalytic cracking process onto the catalyst.