Experimental investigation of benzene alkylation in benzene cut by propylene over ZSM-5 zeolite as catalyst

Alkylation of benzene content in benzene cut produced by Iranian petrochemical company over ZSM-5 zeolite as catalyst was investigated in three phase reactor. In this work، the effects of operating temperatures (140، 170 and 200°C) and benzene/propylene (B/P) molar ratio (over the range of 1 to 7) were studied on the product distribution. Based on the obtained experimental data، it is concluded that an increase in B/P molar ratio from B/P=1 to B/P=7، enhances the selectivity of cumene as major product from 71. 042% to 81. 369%. However the conversion of benzene was decreased with increasing B/P molar ratio. Also the experimental results demonstrated that by enhancement in the temperature، selectivity of cumene was decreased from 79. 579% to 67. 965% and the benzene conversion was increased. The results showed that ZSM-5 has a suitable selectivity for cumene production in alkylation of benzene by propylene in presence of ZSM-5 zeolite as catalyst.