Effects of reaction atmosphere on dimethyl ether conversion to propylene process over Ca/ZSM-5

Effects of reaction atmospheres (nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, syngas and water vapor) on stability of the catalyst, selectivities to propylene and byproducts for dimethyl ether conversion to propylene (DTP) over Ca/ZSM-5 were investigated in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor. Besides, the regenerated catalyst was also studied for DTP process. The results show that the catalyst exhibits best stability, highest propylene selectivity and lowest selectivities to byproducts in carbon dioxide atmosphere, followed by nitrogen, carbon monoxide and syngas atmosphere, and water vapor atmosphere exerts worst effect on DTP. The catalytic performance of the regenerated catalyst also demonstrates that carbon dioxide as reaction atmosphere is most beneficial to DTP process.