Insight into performance over IM-5, ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolites for n-heptane cracking to light olefins in the absence & presence of steam

The three dimension (3D) 10-membered ring channels zeolite has a unique advantage in increasing light olefins for catalytic cracking reaction. Herein, zeolites IM-5, ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 were synthesized hydrothermally to achieve comparable texture properties and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios. The acid content and acid strength of the three zeolites were as follows: IM-5 > ZSM-5 > ZSM-11. Meanwhile, 1H DQ MAS NMR confirmed that there was a synergistic effect between Brønsted and Lewis acids in IM-5 zeolite. However, IM-5 zeolite with lots of strong BAS had an unexpected low TOF in n-heptane cracking. Furthermore, the light olefins selectivity was as follows: IM-5 > ZSM-11 > ZSM-5 at 550–650 ℃ in the absence of steam. IM-5 zeolite had the particular advantage in ethylene, and its selectivity was up to 44.9 %. After steam was introduced, the monomolecular cracking reaction, the aromatization of propylene and the deep cracking of C3 and C4 hydrocarbons were inhibited over the three zeolites. Steam could prolong the activity of IM-5 zeolite, but accelerate the deactivation of ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolites. The primary cause for the rapid deactivation of ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolites was dealuminization in steam, whereas for the IM-5 zeolite, it was the rapid formation of coke on its surface, thereby blocking its micropore channels.