Liquid phase xylene isomerization over nickel hydrogen mordenite catalyst

Abstract

Kinetics of meta-xylene isomerization have been studied in the liquid phase over nickel hydrogen mordenite catalyst. Catalyst samples were prepared by impregnation technique and the reaction was carried out in presence of hydrogen gas in a high pressure batch reactor. Nickel content of the catalyst was varied from 0.4% to 5%. Mass transfer effects were found to be negligible and a series reaction model was applied for the isomerization reaction. Activity and selectivity of the catalyst were affected by reaction temperature, nickel content and nickel crystallite size. 1.5% nickel hydrogen mordenite gave the maximum conversion and activity. The activation energies were 22.69 kcal/mole for p-xylene formation and 21.87 kcal/mole for o-xylene formation.