SHEN De-jian, LIU Zong-zhang, ZHANG Min-hua

(R&D Center for Petrochemical Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072; Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072; )

Abstract: The technology development of ZSM-5 zeolite in the field of dehydration of ethanol to ethylene was reviewed. ZSM-5 modified with metal iron or phosphorus decreased the amount of strong acid sites which were responsible for higher hydrocarbon and coking formation, improved the catalytic performance. The activity of catalysts and selectivity of ethylene were remarkably enhanced by the modification, and the service life was also prolonged. The advanced catalytic performance of nanoscale ZSM-5 was recited. Compared with microscale ZSM-5, nanoscale ZSM-5 has better durability. It discussed the possible reaction mechanisms of dehydration of ethanol to ethylene over ZSM-5, pointed out diethyl-ether is in significant quantities at low temperature, however, high temperatures favor the ethylene formation. The future development orientation of ZSM-5 in the field of dehydration of ethanol to ethylene was also given.

Key words: ethanol; ZSM-5; ethylene; modification; reaction mechanism

E-mail: mhzhang@tju.edu.cn

Journal of Molecular Catalysis, Vol. 25, Issue 4, 2011, 348~353