Methanol to Highly Aromatic Gasoline Reaction over Ultrasound Assisted Co-impregnation Cu and Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst

To achieve the proper efficiency in the methanol to gasoline process, ZSM-5 was modified by metal doping with the aid of ultrasound. Type of metals impregnation (conventional method or by aid of ultrasound) had strong effects on phsico-chemical properties and catalytic performance. The XRD analysis showed crystallinity reduction by metals doping especially in the presence of ultrasound. The catalytic performance of catalysts were evaluated by conducting experiments at 375 ºC, WHSV 5.5 h-1 in a fixed bed reactor. The major products were aromatics hydrocarbons. In the impregnated samples by aid of ultrasound benzene formation strongly reduced relative to conventional impregnated sample. Based on the obtained results can be concluded that metal impregnation by aid of ultrasound, improve aromatic gasoline yield and reduce benzene formation. It is suggested that the ultrasound enhanced the synergetic effect of metals and acid sites, which was confirmed with low benzene production and high aromatic gasoline yield.