Synthesis of Cumene by Transalkylation over Modified Beta Zeolite: a Kinetic Study

In the present study, transalkylation of 1,4-diispropylbenzene (DIPB) with benzene in the presence of modified beta zeolite was performed to produce cumene in a fixed bed reactor. Beta zeolite was exchanged with cerium in order to modify its catalytic activity. Activity of the modified catalyst was evaluated in the range of temperature 493K–593K, space time 4.2 kg h/kmol–9.03 kg h/k mol and benzene/1,4-DIPB molar ratio 1–15 to maximize the reactant conversion and selectivity of cumene. The activity and selectivity of the modified catalyst was found to increase with increase in cerium loading. Maximum selectivity of cumene (83.82%) was achieved at 573 K, benzene/1,4-DIPB 5:1 at one atmosphere pressure. A suitable kinetic model for this reaction was proposed from the product distribution pattern following the Langmuir–Hinshelwood approach. Applying non-linear regression, the model parameters were estimated. The activation energy for the transalkylation reaction was found to be 116.53 kJ/mol.