| Abstract |
Mesostructured solid acid catalysts based on the BEA topology were explored for olefin oligomerisation, which is an attractive synthetic route to produce clean, sulfur-free fuels or fuel additives with reduced aromatics content. Specifically, the oligomerisation of 1-butene, which may derive from (non-)renewable sources, was performed under high pressure and continuous-flow operation. The mesostructured catalysts consisted of a hierarchical zeotype (BEA-hier) synthesized by a one-pot approach using a dual-function template and, on the other hand, a composite (BEA/TUD) possessing zeolite nanocrystallites embedded in a mesoporous matrix synthesised under hydrothermal conditions. The influence of the material properties, catalyst activation temperature and reaction parameters were investigated by combining characterisation, two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToFMS) studies, and catalytic studies. The catalytic performances were compared to those of commercial nano/microcrystalline zeolites of different topologies and COD-900 (type of catalyst for the conversion of olefins to distillates process). BEA-hier performed superiorly in terms of conversion and space-time yields to diesel cut products. |
