Studies on Zeolite Catalysts Part 1

Abstract

Isomerization reactions of n-pentane over ion-exchanged and platinum loaded zeolite (Molecular Sieve 13X) catalysts were studied under hydrogen pressure. Zeolite catalysts were ion-exchanged by Ca, Zn, Mg, Mn and Ce, and they showed low catalytic activities except Ce ion-exchanged catalyst. Cerium ionexchanged catalyst had low activity at extremely dry state, but its activity ascended gradually by charging npentane with little water and got to equilibrium. The equilibrated activity was as high as the activities of commercial catalysts.These results suggest that active acidic sites were formed by the water adsorbed on catalyst surface. Although the mechanism of the acidic sites formation was not evident, it was assumed that the acidic sites were protonic acid.