Multiple zeolite catalyst

Abstract

The multiple zeolite catalyst is a catalytic composition used to convert C 9+ alkylaromatic hydrocarbons to BTX, particularly commercially valuable xylenes. The catalyst is formed by mixing at least two zeolites selected from mordenite, beta zeolite, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, MFI topology zeolite, NES topology zeolite, EU-1, MAPO-36, SAPO-5, SAPO-11, SAPO-34, and SAPO-41, and adding at least one metal component selected from Group VIB and Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The two zeolites should have different physical and chemical characteristics, such as pore size and acidity. An exemplary catalyst includes mordenite, ZSM-5, and 3 wt. % molybdenum. The transalkylation reaction may be conducted in one or more reactors with a fixed bed, moving bed, or radial flow reactor at 200-540° C., a pressure of 1.0-5.0 MPa, and liquid hourly space velocity of 1.0-5.0 per hour.

1 . A multiple zeolite catalyst, comprising:
 first and second zeolites selected from the group consisting of mordenite, beta zeolite, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, an MFI topology zeolite, an NES topology zeolite, EU-1, MAPO-36, SAPO-5, SAPO-11, SAPO-34, and SAPO-41, the second zeolite being a different member of the group than the first zeolite, the first and second zeolites being mixed together; and   at least one metal component incorporated into the mixture of the first and second zeolites, the metal component being an element or compound thereof selected from the group consisting of a metal of Group VIB and a metal of Group VIII of the periodic table of the elements.   
   
   
       2 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein said first zeolite comprises mordenite, said second zeolite comprises ZSM-5, and said metal component comprises molybdenum or a compound thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 2 , wherein said metal component comprises about 3 wt % of said catalyst. 
   
   
       4 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 3 , wherein said mordenite has a silica to alumina ratio of about 240:1. 
   
   
       5 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 3 , wherein said ZSM-5 has a silica to alumina ratio of about 30:1. 
   
   
       6 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal component comprises nickel, palladium, platinum, or a compound thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein said first zeolite comprises ZSM-34. 
   
   
       8 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inorganic oxide binder selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, zirconia, chromia, titania, boria, phosphate, zinc oxide and silica. 
   
   
       9 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 1 , further comprising a binder made from alumina. 
   
   
       10 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal component comprises between about 0.01 wt % and about 5 wt % of the catalyst. 
   
   
       11 . A multiple zeolite catalyst, consisting essentially of:
 first and second zeolites selected from the group consisting of mordenite, beta zeolite, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, an MFI topology zeolite, an NES topology zeolite, EU-1, MAPO-36, SAPO-5, SAPO-11, SAPO-34, and SAPO-41, the second zeolite being a different member of the group than the first zeolite, the first and second zeolites being mixed together;   at least one metal component incorporated into the mixture of the first and second zeolites, the metal component being an element or compound thereof selected from the group consisting of a metal of Group VIB and a metal of Group VIII of the periodic table of the elements, the metal component being between about 0.01 wt % and about 5 wt % of the catalyst; and   a binder selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, zirconia, chromia, titania, boria, phosphate, zinc oxide and silica, the first and second silicates, the metal component, and the binder forming an extrudate.   
   
   
       12 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 11 , wherein said first zeolite consists of mordenite, said second zeolite consists of ZSM-5, and said metal component consists of molybdenum or a compound thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 11 , wherein said metal component consists of an element or compound thereof selected from the group consisting of a metal of Group VIB. 
   
   
       14 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 11 , wherein said first zeolite consists of SAPO-34. 
   
   
       15 . A multiple zeolite catalyst, comprising:
 first and second zeolites selected from the group consisting of mordenite, beta zeolite, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, an MFI topology zeolite, an NES topology zeolite, EU-1, MAPO-36, SAPO-5, SAPO-11, SAPO-34, and SAPO-41, the second zeolite being a different member of the group than the first zeolite, the first and second zeolites being mixed together; and   at least one metal component incorporated into the mixture of the first and second zeolites, the metal component being cerium.   
   
   
       16 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 15 , wherein said first zeolite comprises mordenite and said second zeolite comprises ZSM-5. 
   
   
       17 . The multiple zeolite catalyst according to  claim 15 , wherein said metal component comprises between about 0.01 wt % and about 5 wt % of the catalyst.