Catalytic Cracking of n-Dodecane to Chemicals: Effect of Variable-Morphological ZSM-5 Zeolites Synthesized Using Various Silica Sources

Mohammed A. Sanhoob*, Emad N. Shafei, Abuzar Khan, Galal A. Nasser, Idris Bakare, Oki Muraza, Mohammed Z. Al-Bahar, Ali N. Al-Jishi, Hameed H. Al-Badairy, Aniz C. Ummer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study emphasizes tuning the synthesis conditions of MFI zeolites to achieve better catalytic properties by optimizing the mesoporosity, the balance between Brønsted and Lewis sites, and the zeolite particle sizes. The MFI zeolites were hydrothermally synthesized at various temperatures employing different silica sources. The synthesis temperature was varied between 110 to 180 °C at constant synthesis time (15 h). Different silicon sources led to variations in structure, morphology, and size of the MFI zeolite along with tuned Lewis and Brønsted acid sites in parallel correlation with shape selectivity of the reaction. The catalytic activities of synthesized zeolites were investigated in the catalytic cracking of n-dodecane to produce value-Added chemicals. The zeolite synthesized at 180 °C using fumed silica presented the highest catalytic conversion (96.6%), while maximum light olefin gaseous products (73.1%) were obtained for the sample synthesized at 140 °C using tetraethyl orthosilicate as the silica source. The MFI zeolite synthesized at 180 °C employing tetraethyl orthosilicate as a silica source facilitated the formation of both naphthenes and aromatics (71.3%) as major liquid products.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10317-10329
Number of pages13
JournalACS Omega
Volume7
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Mar 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors are thankful for the financial support to research projects funded by Saudi Aramco with Contract 6510877551 under Project Code CENT2207. The authors would like to acknowledge the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage (IRC-HES) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia for hosting and supporting the research activities.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering (all)
  • Chemistry (all)

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