CATALYTIC REFORMING OF n-HEPTANE ON PLATINUMNIOBIUM SUPPORTED ON GAMMA-ALUMINA

Abstract

The series of mono-metallic and bi-metallic catalysts have been prepared by impregnating<br />with solutions containing compound of H2PtC15,NbC15 and lml HC1 (0.1 mol). The activity<br />and selectivity of the catalysts have been determined under conditions at 450-500°C, 15-<br />30atm. Molar ratio H2/C7H16=5 and VVH=1.5/h for converting n-heptane. Under these<br />experimental conditions it has been established that the conversion of n-heptane into<br />branched aliphatic isomers is catalyzed by a bifunctional mechanism. The results show that<br />when Nb is present, the catalysts are much more stable and have much higher selectivities for<br />isomerization reaction. At a given conversion the bimetallic catalysts produce much lower<br />concentrations of cracked products. It is shown that Nb modifies the acidity of the support,<br />resulting to higher selectivity for isomerization and lower selectivity for cracking and also<br />modifies the properties of the Pt.