Effects of steaming-made changes in physicochemical properties of Y-zeolite on cracking of bulky 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene and coke formation

The effects of acidic properties and structural changes of Y zeolite, produced by steaming, on the zeolite cracking activity, coking tendency and distribution of various products during catalytic conversion of bulky 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) are reported. NaY zeolite with framework Si/Al ratio of 2.4 was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and ammonium exchanged. The zeolite was dealuminated by a temperature-programmed steaming to form USY1 and USY2 zeolites with framework Si/Al ratio of 8.1 and 12.3 respectively. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XRF, SEM, AAS, NH3–TPD and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. The samples were in-situ activated at 748 K and evaluated by TIPB cracking at 623 K. The coke content of the catalyst beds was estimated by TPO using an FT-IR gas cell. The results of activity measurements reveal that the dealuminated zeolites lead to lower cracking activity initially; while, they exhibit higher activity at longer times. In addition, a slight modification of the window diameter of Y zeolite, as revealed by pore size distribution analyses, alters the diffusion limitation of the reactant and products through the pores of the zeolite and significantly affects the adsorbent–adsorbate interactions. TPO experiments show that compared to the precursor zeolite, lower amount of coke is formed on the dealuminated catalysts possessing lower density of acid sites. However, the coke formed on USY samples is heavier than that formed on its precursor Y zeolite. This may be attributed to the larger pores shaped in the dealuminated catalysts which in turn provide suitable places for coke formation and growth.