The performance of Pt/β zeolite and Pt/γ-Al 2O 3 composite pellets in the reforming of methylcyclopentane and methylcyclohexane

Abstract

Composite pellets and powders containing Pt supported on β zeolite and γ-Al 2O 3 are employed for the reforming of methylcyclopentane and methylcyclohexane. Two problems are considered. The first is related to the activity of the composite pellets and the determination of the diffusion coefficients of the two naphthenes in the composites. The effectiveness factors of both naphthenes through the composite pellets have been measured and used for the evaluation of the diffusion coefficients. The second is concerned with the product selectivities. A parametric study of the performance of the composite pellets is carried out by changing the zeolite content in the composites, the reaction temperature, the metal loading and the flow rate through the bed. It is shown that each naphthene follows a different reaction behavior. The balancing of the acidity provided by the Pt/β zeolite with the dehydrogenation capabilities of Pt/γ-Al 2O 3 can lead to a reforming catalyst that possesses an advantageous behavior in the upgrading of the octane number of naphthenes.