The Production of LPG Using Low-octane Model-feed (n-Hexane) on Modified Unloaded and Pt-loaded MFI Zeolite Catalysts

摘要

Nowadays, many developing countries, particularly those non-oil producing ones, suffer from critical shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that consists of various mixtures of propane plus butanes (C3H8 +C4H10). In the present communication, n-hexane was used as an n-paraffinic model hydrocarbon to be hydrocracked for LPG production that can be used both as a fuel in domestic heating appliances and also as high-octane gaseous motor fuels. Catalysts containing 0.15% Pt, 0.30% Pt, or 0.60% Pt loaded on H-MFI zeolite, aluminum-deficient MFI (AD-MFI), or hydrofluorinated MFI zeolite (F-MFI) were investigated. Also, the three unloaded modified zeolites were compared as catalysts for n-hexane hydroconversion, whereby the F-MFI catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity by virtue of acquiring higher acid sites density and strength. The Pt/F-MFI catalysts also enjoy the highest activities by acquiring the highest acid sites density and strength as well as the highest Pt dispersion.