Studies on Hydrocracking of n-Pentane and n-Heptane in the Presence of a Reforming Catalyst

Normal pentane and normal heptane were processed over a platinum-alumina-chloride reforming catalyst under a normal reforming condition-temperature of 500°C, pressure of 35kg/cm2, hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio of 10moles/mole, and feed rate of 1.2gr-moles/50cc catalyst/hr.Hydrocracking activity of the catalyst, which converts n-heptane to propane and butanes, was promoted by 1, 2-dichloropropane injected with the feed hydrocarbon, on the other hand, the activity, which produces methane and ethane from n-heptane, was not promoted by the injection of the chloride. The activity of hydrocracking of n-pentane was also promoted by the chloride.Owing to carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst, the cracking activity which produces methane and ethane from n-heptane was mainly suppressed. When cracking n-pentane, demethylation reaction was more suppressed than the reaction producing ethane and propane.Hydrogenation-dehydrogenation activity of the catalyst was correlative to the hydrocracking activity of the catalyst producing methane and ethane from n-heptane.It is concluded that the activity of hydrocracking, which produces methane and ethane, depends on the platinum in the catalyst, and the activity of hydrocracking, which converts n-heptane to propane and butanes, depends on the acidity of the catalyst.