Ethane conversion into aromatic hydrocarbons over molybdenum-containing MEL zeolites Original Research Article

The transformation of ethane into aromatic hydrocarbons at 550–700°C and contact times (W/F) of 2–60 gh/mol over MEL zeolites with protons and molybdenum as active sites and over silica-supported molybdenum was studied in a flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. Different operating conditions as well as preparation characteristics of the catalysts were evaluated. The incorporation of molybdenum cations into H-ZSM-11 zeolite modified the activation mode of the alkane, generating highly reactive intermediates and enhancing the aromatic yields. Over Mo-ZSM-11 zeolite, ethylene was the main product at low conversion levels and transformed into aromatics when conversion levels increased. No changes were observed in the conversion and in the products distribution occurring in time-on-stream.