Bizeolite Pt/ZSM-5:ZSM-12/Al2O3 catalyst for hydroisomerization of C-8 fraction with various ethylbenzene content.

[Display omitted] • A new bizeolite Pt/ZSM-5:ZSM-12/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was designed for C-8 aromatics isomerization. • ZSM-5/ZSM-12 based Pt catalyst allows both intra- and intermolecular isomerization routes. • Ethylbenzene and m -xylene conversions over ZSM-5+ZSM-12 based catalyst are higher than over an industrial counterpart. A bizeolite catalyst based on ZSM-5 and ZSM-12 was designed to maximize the yield of valuable aromatics from ethylbenzene (EB) rich feedstocks for the first time. The catalyst Pt/ZSM-5:ZSM-12/Al 2 O 3 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH 3), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy. The catalyst and its components were tested in isomerization of an industrial C-8 aromatic cut (C8-Ar) and feedstocks with high EB content. The catalyst demonstrated higher conversion of EB and m -xylene (MX) compared with an industrial catalyst and higher selectivity to dealkylation products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]