Fast and simple synthesis of hierarchical ZSM-11 and its performance in the cofeeding reaction of methanol and n-hexane

Abstract

The co-conversion of short chain n-paraffins and methanol into value added gasoline pool molecules with high octane numbers is an attractive route for gasoline upgrading. Hierarchical ZSM-11 zeolite was synthesized by a fast and simple method, and samples were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption, SEM, NH3-TPD and Py-IR analysis. It was found that the hierarchical ZSM-11 possessed small particle sizes, large surface area and abundant mesopores. Catalytic conversion of co-feeding n-hexane and methanol into hydrocarbons was explored using prepared hierarchical ZSM-11 as solid acid catalyst in a fixed bed under the condition of 380 °C, 1 h−1 (methanol was 1 h−1 and n-hexane was 0.43 h−1), atmospheric pressure, and compared with that of each individual feed. Compared to methanol-to-gasoline process, the final boiling point of the product mixture was reduced by a factor of 23 °C and meet the requirements of standard gasoline end distillation. Compared to the n-hexane cracking in the absence of methanol, a high liquid yield was obtained.