Xylene Isomerization in the Liquid Phase Using Large-Pore Zeolites

Abstract

Three large-pore zeolites, Beta with Si/Al ratios of 25 and 35 and Mordenite with an Si/Al ratio of 30, were studied in the conversion of o-xylene at 493K. Maximum conversion was achieved by the catalyst with the highest Si/Al ratio due to faster diffusion of the isomer inside the zeolite channels because of the lower acidity of the solid even with larger crystal size. A kinetic study was then carried out over this catalyst between 473 and 513K in a batch reactor in the liquid phase. The activation energies obtained do not indicate the presence of diffusional constraints towards any isomer. Finally, the kinetic model obtained was simulated in a fixed-bed reactor and compared to ZSM-5 in the temperature range from 493 to 533K. An increment in p-xylene production of 20% on average was obtained.