Preparation and characterization of multichannel catalyst monolith using ZSM-5 zeolite

Catalytic cracking is an invented process to improve the yield of biofuels from vegetable oil. Currently, catalytic cracking reaction is carried out on the powder catalyst placed in the lab reactor where these catalysts are difficult to regenerate. The purpose of this study is to prepare and characterize a structured catalyst termed as multichannel catalyst monolith for catalytic cracking of palm oil conversion to liquid fuels with respect to surface morphology, BET surface area and crystallinity. Woven Stainless Steel Wire Mesh (WSSWM) was used as a multichannel catalyst monolith substrate, which is then coated with a zeolite catalyst by using dip-slurry coating technique. The ZSM-5 zeolite powders were used as a catalyst with silica-alumina mole ratio (SiO₂/Al₂O₃) of 50. The coated WSSWM was kept at room temperature for 12 hours, followed by drying process and thermal treatment to ensure the coating layer attached strongly onto wire mesh surface. The BET surface area, crystalline, and surface morphology of structured catalysts were examined by Nitrogen Adsorption, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively. Analysis of the catalyst characterization indicates its potential to be applied as a catalyst in catalytic cracking of palm oil.