1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene Transformation Reaction Compared with its Transalkylation Reaction with Toluene over USY Zeolite Catalyst

Abstract

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene (TMB) transalkylation with toluene has been studied over USY zeolite type catalyst using a riser simulator that mimics the operation of a fluidized-bed reactor. Reaction mixtures of 50:50 wt % TMB and toluene were used for the transalkylation reaction. The range of temperature investigated was 400−500 °C with time on stream ranging from 3 to 15 s. The effect of reaction conditions on the variation of the p-xylene to o-xylene product ratio (P/O), distribution of trimethylbenzene (TMB) isomers (1,3,5-TMB to 1,2,3-TMB), and values of xylene/tetramethylbenzene (X/TeMB) ratios are reported. Comparisons are made between the results of the transalkylation reaction with the results of pure 1,2,4-TMB and toluene reactions earlier reported. Toluene, which was found almost inactive, became reactive upon blending with 1,2,4-TMB. This shows that toluene would rather accept a methyl group to transform to xylene than lose a methyl group to form benzene under the present experimental conditions. Th...