Effect of Si/Al2 Ratio on 2-butanol Dehydration over HY Zeolite Catalysts

Abstract

Synthesis of butenes through dehydration of 2-butanol was investigated over HY zeolite catalysts. 2-Butanol dehydration reaction was carried out in a fixed bed catalytic reactor. 2-Butanol conversion was increased with increase of Si/Al2 ratio of HY zeolite catalysts, which can be ascribed to increase of acid strength with increase of Si/Al2ratio. Selectivities to 1-butene, trans-2-butene, and cis-2-butene were not greatly influenced by the change of the Si/Al2ratio of HY zeolite. As a result, it was advantageous to use a HY zeolite catalyst with 60 Si/Al2 ratio for maximizing the yield of 1-butene in the dehydration of 2-butanol. The optimal reaction temperature for maximizing the yield of 1-butene was 250°C over HY (60) catalyst.