Hugo S. Caram, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015 and Brad Carnish, Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
Abstract:The equilibrium-limited pentane isomerization was carried out in a reverse flow chromatographic reactor (RFCR). A hybrid Pt/Mordenite catalyst mixed with a 5A molecular sieve, selective for n-pentane, was operated at 220?C and 1 bar using a hydrogen carrier. Under the above conditions, steady state equilibrium conversions to isopentane of 85-88% were obtained for reversal times of 40-60 min. These values far exceed the steady state reactor conversions with only a slight decrease in selectivity.