METHANOL CONVERSION AND PROPENE OLIGOMERIZATION PRODUCTIVITY OF DEALUMINATED LARGE-PORT MORDENITES

Four different types of large-port mordenite were studied. Three of th ese catalyst samples were dealuminated by treatment with nitric acid, and the fourth type was a series of commercially available dealuminate d mordenites. The methanol conversion and propene oligomerization prod uctivities and selectivities of these dealuminated mordenites were inv estigated on a laboratory scale at typical industrial reaction tempera tures and pressures. The optimum catalyst morphology and degree of dea lumination needed for maximum productivity were found to be similar fo r both methanol conversion and propene oligomerization. High catalytic productivities were obtained with mordenite which had been hydrotherm ally dealuminated or with small crystallites which had been synthesize d or dealuminated in such a way as to minimize the amount of extra-fra mework aluminum in the mordenite pores.