Influence of gallium on the properties of Pt-Re/Al2O3 naphtha reforming catalysts

MARÍA ANA VICERICH; CATHERINE ESPECEL; VIVIANA MÓNICA BENITEZ; FLORENCE EPRON; CARLOS LUIS PIECK

APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2011 vol. 407 p. 49 - 55

0926-860X

The influence of gallium on the properties of Pt-Re/Al2O3 catalysts used in naphtha reforming was studied. The catalysts were prepared by the coimpregnation method. It was found that the addition of gallium to the Pt-Re/Al2O3 catalyst diminishes its acidity (Brønsted and Lewis). It also produces an inhibition of the metal function, i.e. dehydrogenation and hydrogenolysis activity. Activity tests for n-C5 isomerization showed that gallium addition decreases the total activity of the Pt-Re catalyst but increases its selectivity to i-C5 isomers. The selectivity to low value light gases (C1-C3) is particularly decreased. Catalytic tests for n-C7 reforming showed that addition of gallium increases both catalyst stability and selectivity to aromatics, and decreases the production of light gases.