Catalyst for Ethylbenzene Conversion in a Xylene Isomerization Process
The present invention relates to a method for converting a feed mixture comprising an aromatic C8 mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene in which the para-xylene content of the xylene portion of the feed is less than equilibrium to produce a product mixture of reduced ethylbenzene content and a greater amount of para-xylene, which method comprises contacting the feed mixture at conversion conditions with a first catalyst having activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, and with a second catalyst having activity for the isomerization of a xylene.
1 - 8 . (canceled)
9 . A catalyst composition comprising a ZSM-5 aluminosilicate zeolite comprising 0.7+/−0.05 weight percent aluminum,
wherein the catalyst composition comprises a hydrogenation metal,
wherein the catalyst composition has activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, and
wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average particle size of at least about 1 micron.
10 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein the aluminiosilicate molecular sieve comprises about 0.7 weight percent aluminum.
11 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length between about 5 microns and 25 microns.
12 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average width between about 1 micron and 10 microns, and an average thickness between about 1 micron and 10 microns.
13 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein the aluminosilicate molecular sieve is on a support.
14 . The catalyst composition of claim 13 , wherein the support comprises silica.
15 . (canceled)
16 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns, an average width in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and an average thickness in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns.
17 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein the hydrogenation metal is selected from metals of groups VI and VIII.
18 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein the hydrogenation metal includes one or more of molybdenum, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium.
19 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein
crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns, an average width in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and an average thickness in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns; and
the hydrogenation metal includes one or more of molybdenum, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium.
20 . The catalyst composition of claim 9 , wherein
crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns, an average width in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and an average thickness in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns; and
the hydrogenation metal is molybdenum.