EFFECT OF DILUTION ON 2-METHYLPENTANE CRACKING OVER HY ZEOLITE

The effect of dilution by N2 on 2-methylpentane cracking on USHY has been investigated. The results show that dilution inhibits the propagation of certain chain reactions, leading to the shortening of the kinetic chain length and a decrease in the overall rate of feed conversion. Furthermore the total molar selectivity of products increases, resulting in an increased volume expansion. Both the paraffin to olefin ratio and the isomerization to cracking selectivity ratio decrease with increase in the dilution ratio. A quantitative description of the variations of all kinetic parameters, of the reaction pathway probabilities, and of the product formation probabilities with the dilution ratio is presented and the observed behaviour is discussed in terms of the chemistry involved. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.