Comparison between Ni and Pt promoted SO42-ZrO2 catalysts for hydroisomerization-cracking of n-octane.

JUAN CARLOS YORI; JAVIER MARIO GRAU; VIVIANA MARÍA BENÍTEZ; CARLOS ROMÁN VERA; CARLOS LUIS PIECK; JOSÉ MIGUEL PARERA

CATALYSIS LETTERS

Springer Netherlands

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2005 vol. 100 p. 67 - 71

1011-372X

The production of C4–C6 branched isoalkanes by isomerization-cracking of n-octane (300 °C, 0.1 MPa) using sulfated zirconia catalysts was studied. The effect of Ni addition on the activity and selectivity was compared to the effect of Pt. Pt enhanced the activity and stability of the catalysts. Ni mainly improved the selectivity to isoparaffins (maximum yield at 1% Ni). n-Octane conversion fully correlated with total acidity. Average and final stable conversion values were in comparison lower for Ni catalysts. This result was addressed to the lower metal activity of Ni and to the detrimental effect of sulfated zirconia on the reducibility of the metal.