Synthesis of mesoporous Y zeolite from pyrophyllite as Si and Al source used in gasoline and gasoil production from heavy oil

Zeolite Y was successfully synthesized using alkali-fused pyrophyllite as the source of Si and Al without using template. Surfactant (CTAB) was used in order to create the mesopores in the synthesized Y zeolite. Physicochemical properties of the synthesized samples were investigated using XRD, FESEM, BET, FTIR, NH3-TPD, EDX and TGA characterizations. The properties and catalytic performance of the synthesized zeolites using pyrophyllite were compared with commercial Y zeolite. The results of XRD analysis showed that a pure Y zeolite has been synthesized using alkali-fused pyrophyllite in the presence of CTAB. Furthermore, the use of CTAB resulted in improving the textural and acidity properties of the synthesized sample. Moreover, the catalytic activity of the synthesized zeolites was tested in a fixed bed reactor. The synthesized sample with CTAB, for the case of heavy oil conversion to light fuels showed a conversion of up to ca. 60%. It was observed that the light fuels selectivity such as gasoline and gasoil as well as gaseous production over modified zeolite with CTAB was higher than the other samples. Due to the presence of mesopores and better accessibility of the feed molecules to the catalytic active sites, the CTAB-synthesized sample showed higher catalytic activity as well as gaseous products formation.