Catalytic Reaction Engineering Industrial Catalysis - Tutorial 4

1.

What are Zeolites?

Zeolites are crystalline, hydrated alumino-silicates alumino silicates of Group I and Group II elements. Their structure is compromised of a 3-dimensional dimensional array of [SiO4]4-and [AlO4]5- and tetrahedral linked through common oxygen atoms which give rise to enclosed pores occupied by cations of the groups I and II elements and water of hydration. The mobility of the cations and water molecules gives rise to ion exchange and reversible dehydration.

2. How are Zeolites synthetically prepared?

Zeolites are synthetically prepared by hydrothermally reacting aluminate and silicate anions in highly alkaline solutions. Note that a charge-compensating charge cation (usually Na+ from NaOH) must also be present t in the hydrothermal mixture prior to reaction. An organic template is also needed to make certain zeolite structures.

3.

How does the pore structure of a zeolite differ from other microporous adsorbents such as activated carbon or silica gel?
The pore structure of zeolites differs from other microporous adsorbents in that they have no pore size distribution; rather they have pores of a single molecular dimension. (a) dehydrated zeolites % pores (b) Typical silica gel (c) Typical activated carbon

4. 5.

What unique property does the pore structure of zeolites give rise to?
Shape selectivity; Molecular traffic control

Name three types of shape selectivity that occur on zeolites.

Reactant nt selectivity, Transition state selectivity, Product Selectivity

Dr Arthur Garforth C53 The Mill, a.garforth@manchester.ac.uk

Catalytic Reaction Engineering Industrial Catalysis - Tutorial 4

6.

Name THREE zeolites commonly used in a refinery context stating the process in which they are used and the major products or product fractions.

If we think about functions rather than processes then and nd give an example of a real-life real application.
Ion Exchange- removal of radioactive or heavy metals from wastewater Adsorption- drying of air through selective adsorption of H2O. Purification of O2 through selective adsorption of N2. p from a mixture of xylenes. Shape Selectivity- Separation of p-xylene Catalysis- the acidity of zeolites cracks large molecules (e.g.-gas gas oils from crude oil) into more valuable hydrocarbon fractions (e.g.-gasoline, (e diesel fuel).

7.

Name and discuss briefly the he theory of the technique frequently used to characterise the surface area of catalysts.
Adsorption and condensation (ASTM D 3663-84 3663 1988) where a sample mple enclosed in a glass cell and heated to 373-673 K. Cooled to 77K and partial pressure increased incrementally incrementally & amount adsorbed noted. Process then reversed. reversed Note a N2 molecule occupies an area equal to its crosscross 2 section (0.162 nm ). BET analysis after Brunauer, Emmett and Teller.

Dr Arthur Garforth C53 The Mill, a.garforth@manchester.ac.uk