Application of Mo/HZSM-5 for Conversion of Vegetable Oils to Aromatics

In this paper, the molybdenum modified catalysts were prepared by conventional impregnation method and utilized in the conversion of vegetable oil to aromatics. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption-desorption. The reaction was carried out under atmospheric pressure and the effect of temperature and space velocity on the aromatics yields were investigated. The reactor temperature and space velocity were tuned using a temperature controlled tubular furnace. The objective product was as liquid phase which consisted of organic and aqueous portions. The produced gases during the reaction was vented. The organic portion of the liquid product was analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC) technique. While the ZSM-5 structure tends towards the production of aromatics via conversion of vegetable oils, addition of molybdenum to the zeolite structure improved the aromatic yield. The maximum aromatic yield of 35 % was obtained over the zeolite catalyst with higher content of metal species at lower space velocity of 2 h-1 and higher temperature of 450 °C.

Keywords:

Vegetable oil , Mo/HZSM-5 , Aromatics , Zeolite.