TOLUENE DISPROPORTIONATION OVER NICKEL-LOADED ALUMINUM-DEFICIENT MORDENITE .2. KINETICS

A kinetic investigation was conducted for the toluene disproportionation reaction in the presence of a particular zeolite, namely (0. 2 wt %) nickel-loaded mordenite with a silica:alumina ratio of 23. Process variables studied were catalyst size, temperature, and contact time. The reaction rate constants calculated on the basis of a reversible second-order reaction model fitted an Arrhenius function of temperature with an apparent activation energy of 14. 5 kcal/mol. For the falling rate period, the activity of the catalyst ( theta ) decreased with time on stream (t) according to the relationship theta equals theta //0e** minus **m**t, where m was approximately equal to 3 multiplied by 10** minus **3 at 350 degree C and above.