Highly Active Catalyst Based on Sulfated Zirconia for Isomerization of Light Gasoline Fractions

Abstract

Properties of palladium modified catalyst based on sulfated zirconia (IC-Pd-SZ) were studied in respect of the skeletal isomerization of n-hexane and commercial light gasoline fractions. The catalyst was prepared via thermal decomposition of aqueous solutions of ammonia-carbonate complexes of zirconium. Against the traditional preparation procedures, the developed method allowed nanodisperse catalysts with larger surface area and porosity to be synthesized. The Pd-SZ catalytic activity to skeletal isomerization of hydrocarbons was shown to depend on the content of sulfate ions, specific surface area, and content of the alumina binder. Comparative testing of the catalysts – developed in the Institute of Catalysis and its commercial analogue – revealed a higher activity of the catalyst prepared by thermal decomposition of zirconium oxycarbonate that allows the process temperature to be reduced and the octane number of the isomerizate to be additionally enhanced.