In this work, the effect of HZSM-5 zeolite acidity on hydroconversion of methylcyclohexane
and toluene hasbeen studied. These are test reactions for the second step
and the single step of aromatic valorization process,respectively, with the aim of obtaining C
2+ n-alkanes
and isoalkanes. Monofunctional HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts(Si:Al ratio between 15
and 140) have been studied in methylcyclohexane ring opening while bifunctionalcatalysts (hybrid Pt/Al
2O
3-HZSM-5, same zeolites) have been used in the hydrocracking of toluene. Runshave been carried out in a fixed bed reactor under 250-450
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C
and 20-80 bar. A positive effect of HZSM-5zeolite acidity on methylcyclohexane conversion
and C
2+ n-alkane selectivity is evident at certain conditions,whereas the maximum selectivity to isoalkanes requires an intermediate value of acidity. On the basis of therelationship between conversion
and the Si:Al ratio of the HZSM-5 zeolite, the hydrogenolytic cracking ofmethylcyclohexane is proposed as a test reaction to determine the Si:Al ratio. Acidity has a highly favorableeffect in the hydrocracking of toluene given that it avoids the thermodynamic restrictions for toluenehydrogenation
and enhancing all the cracking steps during methylcyclohexane (MCH) transformation, whichincreases selectivity to C
2+ n-alkanes
and isoalkanes.