Alkylation of benzene with propene over HBeta zeolites near supercritical conditions

The alkylation of benzene with propene to produce cumene over HBeta zeolites was carried out near supercritical conditions, where the reaction conditions were determined with considering the changes in the critical properties of reacting mixture along with the reaction extent. The results demonstrate that the reaction behaviour, especially the catalyst lifetime is sensitive to the reaction conditions. Catalysts deactivate much more rapidly when the reactions are carried out under such conditions far from the critical region of the reacting mixture, while they exhibit much longer lifetimes under the conditions near the critical region of the reacting mixture (290–310 °C, about 5.7 MPa). Performing the alkylation of benzene with propene on HBeta zeolites under supercritical conditions rather than in gas or liquid phase can be an interesting option for increasing throughput and prolonging catalyst lifetime; however, the reaction conditions should be determined according to the critical properties of reacting mixture along the reaction course.