Catalyst composition, its preparation and process using such composition

1. A catalyst composition which comprises a carrier and one or more metal components supported on the carrier, wherein the carrier comprises (i) mordenite in an amount in the range of from 20 to 90 wt %, based on total weight of carrier, the mordenite having a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 10 to 60; (ii) ZSM-5 type zeolite in an amount of from 10 to 70 wt %, based on total weight of carrier, the ZSM-5 type zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 5 to 50 and an average particle size in the range of from 5 to 50 nm; and (iii) an inorganic binder in an amount in the range of from 10 to 50 wt %, based on total weight of carrier; and wherein the one or more metal components comprise a group 10 metal.

2. The catalyst composition according to claim 1 , wherein the mordenite is present in an amount in the range of from 30 to 70 wt %, based on total weight of carrier.

3. The catalyst composition according to claim 1 , wherein the ZSM-5 type zeolite is present in an amount in the range of from 15 to 60 wt %, based on total weight of carrier.

4. The catalyst composition according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic binder is present in an amount in the range of from 10 to 40 wt %, based on total weight of carrier material.

5. The catalyst composition according to claim 1 , wherein the ZSM-5 type zeolite has a number average particle size in the range of from 10 to 45 nm.

6. The catalyst composition according to claim 1 , wherein the mordenite contains less than 200 ppm of transition metal(s).

7. The process for preparing the catalyst according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

(a) mixing the mordenite, ZSM -5 type zeolite, inorganic binder, and group 10 metal in any possible sequence; and

(b) calcining the mixture as obtained in step (a).

8. A transalkylation process,wherein said process comprises: contacting an aromatic hydrocarbons-containing feedstock, wherein said feedstock comprises benzene, toluene and/or an aromatic containing at least 9 carbon atoms, with said catalyst composition recited in claim 1 and in the presence of hydrogen and at a temperature in the range of from 200 to 600° C., a pressure in the range of from 5 to 50 bara, and a weight space velocity in the range of from 0.2 to 30 hr −1 ; and yielding a reaction effluent.

9. The process according to claim 8 , wherein the feedstock comprises an amount of ethylbenzene in the range of from 0.1 to 50 wt % and a total xylene content of at least 20 wt %, all based on total amount of feedstock.

10. A transalkylation process, wherein said process comprises: contacting an aromatic hydrocarbons-containing feedstock, wherein said feedstock comprises benzene, toluene, and/or an aromatic containing at least 9 carbon atoms, with said catalyst composition recited in claim 2 and in the presence of hydrogen and at a temperature in the range of from 200 to 600° C., a pressure in the range of from 5 to 50 bara, and a weight space velocity in the range of from 0.2 to 30 hr −1 ; and yielding a reaction effluent.

11. The transalkylation process according to claim 10 , wherein the ZSM-5 type zeolite is present in an amount in the range of from 15 to 60 wt %, based on total weight of carrier.

12. The transalkylation process according to claim 11 , wherein the inorganic binder is present in an amount in the range of from 10 to 40 wt %, based on total weight of carrier material.

13. The transalkylation process according to claim 12 , wherein the ZSM-5 type zeolite has a number average particle size in the range of from 10 to 45 nm.

14. The transalkylation process according to claim 13 , wherein the mordenite contains less than 200 ppm of transition metal(s).