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Unconventional sulphated zirconia (SZ) catalysts were prepared by the sol-gel method. The calcination step seems to attain the highest influence, where the crystallinity transforms to the denser form. Calcination at 500°C gives the best activities and stabilities. For the study of the effect of the addition of Nobel metals, two groups of modified Sulfated Zirconia catalysts were prepared. The first group was modified by four different concentrations of Pt metal (0.15 wt%, 0.3wt%, 0.45wt and 0.6wt %). The second contained Pt Re combination, in different ratios where the sum of the two metals is 0.6wt%. The catalytic activity of the catalysts was examined via the isomerization reaction of n-pentane to iso-pentane. The catalytic activity was found to increase with increasing the Pt concentration in monometallic catalysts. The inclusion of Re ion together with Pt on SZ results in significant changes in the characters and activities of the catalysts. The 0.45wt%Pt/0.15wt%Re/SZ catalyst exhibited the highest activity and stability among the current catalysts.
About the author
Researcher in Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI) - 'Process Development' departmentExpertise and technical skillsPreparation and characterization of catalystsHydrodynamics and design of reactorsOperating different kinds of reactors (micro-reactors, slurry bubble column, etc.)Operating Gas chromatographyScientific writing
