Catalysis Letters, Vol.24, No.1-2, 123-132, 1994
2 Sources of Synergism in the Reforming of N-Hexane, Methylcyclopentane, Methylcyclohexane Mixtures over Composites of Basic and Acidic Zeolites
Pt supported on composites of the basic L zeolite with either H/beta or H/USY acidic zeolite are employed in the reforming of n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, methylcyclohexane and their mixtures. It was found that when mixtures of the above three compounds are used as feeds, the composites provide decreased benzene selectivity and increased conversion and aromatic selectivity in comparison with the conversion and selectivity calculated by weighting those of the individual compounds with their molar fractions in the feed. The synergism caused by the components of the composite in combination with the synergism due to the cooperative reactions of the components of the feed are suggested to be responsible for this behavior. A detailed explanation of the latter synergism is proposed. The balancing of the L zeolite with one of the above two acidic zeolites can provide a selective route to C(>7) aromatics from hydrocarbon feeds containing C(greater-than-or-equal-to 6) paraffins.