Synthesis of Zeolite β from Kaolin and Its Catalytic Performance For FCC Naphtha Aromatization

Abstract

A hydrothermal synthesis method for β zeolite preparation using kaolin as the sole alumina source was investigated. This approach provided a choice to manufacture zeolite β with a low cost alumina source. The zeolite β samples were characterized by XRD, IR, SEM, XRF, DSC, and BET surface area measurements. Tunable crystallinity, higher meso- or macroporosity, higher thermal stability, and more Brönsted type acid sites of zeolite β can be obtained by properly controlling the synthesis conditions using this system. The catalytic evaluation results indicated that zinc-loaded zeolite β is a good potential FCC naphtha aromatization catalyst. The kaolin derived, 2 wt% zinc-loaded Zn-β(2) showed higher aromatic yields and better product distribution compared with that of the reference Zn-β catalyst; it also provided an aromatics yield of 42.26 wt%, which increased by 22.62 wt% compared with the feedstock.