Fly ash containing silica and alumina as the major constituents is a cheap starting material for synthesizing zeolites, which are useful as solid acid catalysts. In the present work, fly ash containing 30% Al2O3 and 55% SiO2 was converted to X-type zeolite by alkali fusion followed by hydrothermal treatment. The synthesized zeolite was characterized for its composition, surface area and acidity. Cracking of vacuum gas oil (VGO) was carried out over the synthesized zeolite at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 400 – 450oC. The catalyst-to-oil ratio (W/W) was maintained in the range of 0.2-0.5. The VGO conversion was found to increase with temperature. The gasoline yield first increased with temperature and then decreased. A maximum gasoline yield of 24.5% was obtained at 425oC. Yield of gaseous products increased with temperature whereas that of heavy gas oil (HGO) decreased with temperature. The effects of space-time on conversion of VGO and on the yields of different products were studied. More gas and coke were observed to be produced at higher space-time. The performance of the catalyst synthesized from fly ash compared well with the commercial catalysts used in Indian refineries. Kinetic modeling of the cracking process was performed using a lump parameter model and the kinetic constants as well as the deactivation constant were estimated. Activation energies for each reaction were determined and compared with the literature values. The results are of immense importance as a waste material, fly ash, could be used to synthesize a catalyst for a commercially very important reaction, carried out throughout the world in large scale.

Cracking of heavy oil over a catalyst synthesized from fly ash

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.