Hydrogen spillover activation of H-erionite for the hydroconversion of n-heptane

Abstract The main products of the hydroconversion at 428 K (155°C) of n-heptane on H-erionite are propane and n-butane in similar proportions, with smaller amounts of n-pentane and n-hexane. The spillover activation of H-erionite in the presence of the Pt/Al 2 O 3 catalyst (which is withdrawn after this activation) increases substantially its catalytic activity without changing the selectivity. This spillover-activated H-erionite therefore does not contain platinum during the catalytic reaction, nor does it contain the spilt-over hydrogen. However, when the spilt-over hydrogen is continuously supplied, from mechanically admixed (or impregnated) platinum, during the hydroconversion of n-heptane, the selectivity is modified and propane becomes the major product. This change in the selectivity is related to the presence of the spilt-over hydrogen and not to the presence of platinum.