Characterization and Cracking Activity of Zeolite Prepared from Local Kaolin

• Published in: Iraqi Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (Online) 2010-06, Vol.11 (2), p.35-42
• Main Authors: A.K. Mohammed, Abdul Halim, Karim, Samar, M. Rahman, Ameel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1997-4884; 2618-0707
• DOI: 10.31699/IJCPE.2010.2.4

The synthesis of zeolite NaX from locally available kaolin has been studied. The operating conditions for zeolite NaX production from kaolin with good crystallinity were as follows; a gel formation step of metakaolin in alkaline medium in presence of additional silica to crystallize the zeolite was achieved at 60 oC for 1 hr,and with stirring. In ageing step of the reactants at room temperature for 5 days and crystallization step at 87±2 oC for 24 hr. The catalytic activity of catalyst prepared from local kaolin was studied by using cumene cracking as a model for catalytic cracking and compared with standard HY zeolite and HX zeolite catalysts. The activity test was carried out in a laboratory continuous flow unit with fixed bed reactor at duration time in the range 10-240 minutes, temperature 823 K, and LHSV 1 h-1. The prepared and the standard catalysts were characterized by atomic absorption, X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, surface area and pore volume.