CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS, vol.195, no.8, pp.1043-1057, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared by utilizing clinoptilolite found in Western Anatolia in abundant amounts as a type of natural zeolite. Hydrothermal reaction was conducted with HCl-treated clinoptilolite at 180 degrees C. After characterizing the solid products obtained by this reaction as ZSM-5 by means of XRD, IR, TGA, surface area analyzer, and chemical analysis they were tested as catalysts in benzene alkylation reaction with ethylene leading to ethylbenzene. Catalytic performance of samples prepared in this study was investigated for benzene conversion, ethylbenzene yield, and selectivity. It was found that ZSM-5(A) sample showed performance similar to that of the reference sample (ZSM-5(C)) synthesized by using patented literature information in terms of benzene conversion. When the reaction temperature was increased from 400 to 425 degrees C ethylbenzene yield and selectivity results of ZSM-5(A) sample were improved but coke formation increased. Catalyst test results indicated the possibility of using clinoptilolite as a raw material in the synthesis of ZSM-5 catalyst for alkylation of benzene with ethylene reaction.