Short communicationConversion of levulinic acid to BTX over different zeolite catalysts

- It is possible to obtain yield of BTX from levulinic acid by the proper choice of zeolite topology.
- HZSM-5 zeolite with moderate internal pore and three dimensional geometry favored BTX formation.
- Pore size and pore structure is more important than acidity of zeolite in the conversion of LA to BTX.
- Three dimensional zeolites gave lower aromatic yields and high coke compared to one dimensional.

Zeolites having a different pore size, pore geometry and acidity (small pore FER, medium pore ZSM-5, and large pore Y, BEA and MOR) were investigated for the conversion of levulinic acid (LA) to aromatics (BTX). Product selectivity was found to depend on pore size and radius of the zeolites. In addition to pore size, internal pore space, and steric hindrance play a determining role in aromatics production. ZSM-5 with moderate internal pore space and steric hindrance gave the highest BTX yield of 31% and least amount of coke. The high aromatic yield of ZSM-5 has been attributed to its strong acidity for cracking and suitable pore structure for aromatization.

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