Benzene reduction in gasoline by alkylation with olefins: Effect of the feedstock on the catalyst deactivation Original Research Article

The production of a more environmentally suitable gasoline by removing substantial portions of benzene by alkylation with propylene was studied on three real feedstocks with different chemical composition. Nine consecutive tests of 1 h were carried out for each feedstock, in a batch system with a 2/1 benzene:propylene mole ratio at 220 °C using the same Beta catalyst. The results obtained were compared with pure benzene alkylation reactions. With the increase of benzene concentration in the feedstock, benzene conversions improved. Presence of olefin compounds even in traces caused oligomers formation and finally catalyst deactivation.