Catalytic co-conversion of glycerol and oleic acid to bio-aromatics: Catalyst deactivation studies for a technical H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst

The catalytic co-conversion of glycerol and oleic acid (45/55 wt%) to bio-based aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes, bio-BTX) over a technical H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst in fixed-bed reactor was investigated with special attention deactivation phenomena. spent catalysts after time on stream (TOS) 12 h were regenerated by an ex-situ oxidative treatment remove coke reused for another run. In total, 5 reaction-regeneration cycles performed. performance characteristics the fresh determined identify quantify effects co-feeding stability regenerability. changes upon number cycles. Despite negative effect peak BTX yield, remarkable improvement found, leading higher productivity (1260–1505 gBTX gcat-1 during TOS vs. 834 one life-time 11 h). Detailed characterization studies show irreversible structure cycle(s), such as textural property, crystal structure, framework, acidity, which impact performance.