Methanol to Gasoline Conversion over CuO/ZSM-5 Catalyst Synthesized Using Sonochemistry Method

Abstract

Abstract In this research, the catalytic conversion of methanol to gasoline range hydrocarbons has been studied over CuO (5 %)/ZSM-5 and CuO (7 %)/ZSM-5 catalysts prepared via sonochemistry methods. Conversion of methanol to gasoline (MTG) has been carried out in a fixed bed reactor under atmospheric pressure and 400˚C temperature, over copper oxide on the synthesized ZSM-5 catalyst. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, and FTIR techniques; in which good crystallinity and high specific surface area of synthesized zeolite were proved after impregnation of zeolite with copper. The present investigation suggests that the CuO/ZSM-5 catalyst made by sonochemistry method can increase the yield toward hydrocarbon production. It was concluded that impregnation of zeolite with copper oxide can alter the Brønsted/Lewis acid sites ratio and provide new Lewis acid sites over the surface of the ZSM-5. The main products of methanol to gasoline reaction over the catalyst that prepared via sonochemistry method were toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, ethyl toluene, tetra methylbenzene, diethyl benzene and butylbenzene. The total amount of aromatics in the products was 80 % by using this catalyst. Our results suggest that catalyst synthesized by using sonochemistry shows better production yield toward hydrocarbons by affecting the distribution of active sites on the surface of the ZSM-5.