Production of Jet Fuel Range Aromatics by Alkylation of Benzene with Olefins over Bifunctional Ga/ZSM-5 Catalyst

Abstract

Aromatic components of C₈-C₁₅ are playing indispensable roles in multi-functional properties of jet fuel. Here, we reported the controllable alkylation of benzene with mixed olefins of ethylene and propylene toward C₈-C₁₅ aromatic hydrocarbons for jet fuels over the bifunctional Ga/ZSM-5 catalyst. The resultant 2Ga/ZSM-5 exhibited a superior selectivity of 86.4 % (yield of 55.5 %) to C₈-C₁₅ range aromatics, at benzene conversion of 40.3 %, ethylene and propylene conversion of 99.5 % and 99.2 %, respectively. The incorporation of Ga species could effectively weaken the strong acid sites of ZSM-5 and endow 2Ga/ZSM-5 catalyst with appropriate acidity, therefore facilitating the benzene alkylation process and suppressing the undesired hydrogen transfer or aromatization side reactions as well, thus improving the yield of desired C₈-C₁₅aromatics for jet fuels. This work provided insight into the development of promising bifunctional catalyst for the oriented transformation of biomass-derived chemicals to aviation fuels.

Keywords: Acid property; Benzene alkylation; C8−C15aromatics; Ethylene; Ga/ZSM-5; Propylene.