Ring contraction and ring opening of naphthenic feed

PETR 30

Malee Santikunaporn, The School of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Oklahoma, 100 East Boyd St, Norman, OK 73019, Walter Alvarez, Walter.E.Alvarez@conocophillips.com, 363-C PL - Bartlesville Technology Center, ConocoPhillips, Bartlesville, OK 74004, USA, Bartlesville, OK 74004, and Daniel E. Resasco, resasco@ou.edu, School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 100 E. Boyd St., Norman, OK 73019.
The purpose of this study was to maximize production of non-aromatic compounds with high octane number starting from naphthenic molecules. The activity of acidic and Pt-containing zeolites was investigated in the methylcyclohexane reaction. It was found that while the acid density of catalysts has a strong influence on activity, it only has a minor influence on selectivity. Under the conditions of this study, skeletal isomerization was the primary reaction and it occurs via several parallel and consecutive pathways with different product distribution depending on catalyst composition. Platinum enhances the production of ring-contraction products, especially 1,1-dimethylcyclopentane, due to enhanced hydrogen transfer. Shape selectivity effectively prevents the formation of the bulkier isomers (e.g. trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane). The methylcyclohexane reaction was further tested on physical mixtures and segregated beds of Pt/HY and Ir/SiO2 catalysts in order to optimize the production of alkanes with high octane number by proper selection of ring contraction and hydrogenolysis steps.
 

2nd International Symposium on Hydrotreating/Hydrocracking Technologies
8:30 AM-11:50 AM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Palace -- Presidio Room, Oral

Division of Petroleum Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006