Effect of the Textural Characteristics of Zeolite Catalysts on the Main Indicators of Isobutane Alkylation with Butylenes

Abstract

Effect of the textural characteristics of NaX-type zeolite catalysts in the cation-exchange form on the main indicators of isobutane alkylation with butylenes has been studied. The best activity and selectivity indicators are achieved at a total pore volume of 0.255–0.295 cm³/g, a specific surface area of the samples of no more than 470 m²/g, and a micro/mesopore volume ratio of 2.5–5.5. It has been found that a catalyst sample based on a zeolite pelletized without a binder has all optimum textural characteristics; it is the best sample in terms of alkylate yield (100 wt %), conversion (99 wt %), and alkylate quality (trimethylpentane (TMP) selectivity of 72.6 wt %, an amount of the fraction boiling above isooctanes (C₉₊) of 5.8 wt %).