Catalyst Equilibration for Transformation of Methanol into Hydrocarbons by Reaction−Regeneration Cycles

Abstract

A study has been made of the activity recovery of H-ZSM5 zeolite based catalysts, which have been used in reaction−regeneration cycles in the transformation of methanol into gasoline. Catalyst stability is sensitive to catalyst calcination conditions (temperature and time) and to zeolite Si/Al ratio. From experiments carried out on automated reaction−regeneration equipment provided with an isothermal fixed-bed reactor, optimum catalyst equilibration conditions have been determined, in order to minimize the irreversible deactivation in the regeneration step. The effect of this step on the catalyst acid structure has been studied.