AROMATIZATION OF ETHANE OVER PT,GA/HZSM-5 CATALYST AND THE EFFECT OF INTERMETALLIC HYDROGEN ACCEPTOR ON THE REACTION

The effect of the hydride-forming intermetallic compound Zr2Fe on the aromatization of ethane over Pt,Ga/HZSM-5 catalyst has been studied under different reaction conditions (temperature, GHSV, ethane dilution with Ar). In the presence of intermetallic hydrogen acceptor aromatics yield from ethane at 500 degrees C was 6-fold higher and reached 61 wt.-% as a result of releasing hydrogen elimination, selectivity to aromatics being 78%. The fused-ring aromatics formation appeared to be more sensitive to hydrogen removal than BTX formation. The yield of BTX may be improved by ethane dilution with inert gas.