Effects of the SAPO-11 synthetic process on dehydration of ethanol to ethylene

Abstract

The effects of the synthetic condition of SAPO-11 molecular sieves on ethanol dehydration to ethylene were studied. Product-compositions, ethanol conversion, and selectivity to ethylene of synthesized and commercial SAPO-11 molecular sieves were compared. Results are as follows: the optimal synthetic conditions for SAPO-11 molecular sieves are adding pseudoboehmite before orthophoshporic, using di-n- propylamine as the template, having a mass fraction of 40% colloidal silica as the silica source and the starting gel obtained, and running at 200°C for 48 h. From the patterns of NH₃-TPD, the amount of acid synthesized by SAPO-11 molecular sieves is less than that by commercial SAPO-11 molecular sieves, and has a stronger weak acid. Also, ethanol conversion and selectivity to ethylene reached 99% at 280°C on synthesized SAPO-11, lower by 20°C compared to commercial SAPO-11. For two SAPO-11 molecular sieves, the by-products in the gas phase are mainly ethane, propane, propene, isobutane, n-butane, propadiene, butylene and some higher hydrocarbons. The by-products in the liquid phase are ethyl ether and acetaldehyde.

Key words： SAPO-11 molecular sieves; synthesis; ethanol; ethylene; dehydration

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2006AA020101).

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