The Effect of Y Zeolites with Different Pores on Tetralin Hydrocracking for the Production of High-Value Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene Products

Abstract

A series of Y zeolites with different pore properties was prepared as a support for hydrocracking catalysts for the production of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene) from tetralin. Some important characterizations, including N2 adsorption–desorption, NH3-TPD, Py-IR, and HRTEM, were applied to obtain the properties of different catalysts. Meanwhile, the tetralin hydrocracking performances of those catalysts were investigated on a high-pressure fixed-bed microreactor. The results showed that Si/Al ratio is the core property of zeolites and that the increase in the Vmicro/Vmeso of zeolites could facilitate the formation of BTEX products by hydrocracking tetralin. The method of hydrocracking tetralin was proposed. It was also found that the hydrogenation–cracking path was controlled by aromatic saturation thermodynamics, and strong acidity aided the backward shift of equilibrium temperature.