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Title: The Effects of Supercritical Propane on the Alkylation of Toluene with Ethylene over USY and Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts

Journal Article · · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie0202569· OSTI ID:912038

The alkylation of toluene with ethylene over microporous USY zeolite and mesoporous sulfated zirconia (S/ZrO2) catalysts was explored at liquid, near-critical liquid, and supercritical conditions using propane as the supercritical cosolvent. Liquid, near-critical liquid, and supercritical conditions were examined for their effects on product selectivity and catalyst activity maintenance. The S/ZrO2 catalyst demonstrated alkylation activity almost exclusively, whereas the USY catalyst demonstrated both alkylation and cracking/disproportionation activities. Near-critical and supercritical reaction conditions improved product selectivity with the USY catalyst through the suppression of disproportionation reactions and enhanced ortho- and para-ethyltoluene selectivity. However, the addition of the supercritical cosolvent resulted in increased deactivation for both the S/ZrO2 and USY catalysts, with deactivation increasing with propane mole fraction.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC07-99ID-13727
OSTI ID:
912038
Report Number(s):
INEEL/JOU-02-00483; IECRED; TRN: US200801%%479
Journal Information:
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 41, Issue 25; ISSN 0888-5885
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English