| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 690260 | Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers | 2016 | 7 Pages |
•Thiophene in coking benzene promoted coke formation, therefore deactivating the catalyst.•Water in bio-ethanol decreased the conversion of benzene and increased the selectivity to ethylbenzene.•La-C-HT-HZSM-5 is water-tolerant and sulfur-tolerant catalyst in the reaction.
The ethylation of benzene, obtained from coke oven gas, with bio-ethanol over nanosized HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst was investigated in a down-flow fixed-bed reactor. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet raman spectrophotometry, ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms measurements were used to characterize catalyst morphology and coke deposit over the spent catalyst. Thiophene in coking benzene promoted the formation of coke. Water contained in bio-ethanol improved the catalyst selectivity and stability, inhibited coke formation and reduced its carbonization. The water also reduced both activity and desulfurization of the catalyst. The role of water in the reaction is due to its stronger adsorption on the active sites than ethanol and thiophene in the feed.
Graphical abstractSolid symbol: CB, open symbol: SA 400 °C, 1.4 MPa, coking benzene/ethanol = 6:1 (molar ratio), sulfur content = 170 mg/L, WHSV= 5.2 h−1, bio-ethanol (35v%) Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide
