Catalytic activity of large-pore high Si/Al zeolites: Cracking of heptane on H-Beta and dealuminated HY zeolites

The catalytic activity, selectivity, catalyst decay, thermal and hydrothermal stability, and acidity of H-Beta and HY zeolites with Si Al ratios of 7.5 and 10, respectively, have been studied during cracking of n-heptane at 450 °C and atmospheric pressure. It has been found that the H-Beta zeolite is more active and decays more slowly than HY. H-Beta presents a higher steric hindrance for dibranched molecules and therefore its open structure should be smaller than that of HY. A lower hydrogen transfer activity and hydrothermal stability is observed for H-Beta in comparison with the corresponding HY.