Temperature-dependent synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from methanol over beta zeolite: a novel approach to a sustainable fuel

Crystalline beta zeolite molecular sieve with SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 28.5 was synthesized by the hydrothermal crystallization method and examined for methanol dehydration reaction. The micro-mesoporous beta zeolite was active between 280 and 450°C. Dimethyl ether (DME) was observed as the predomi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Puneet Kumar Chaudhary, Racha Arundhathi, Mahesh W. Kasture, Chanchal Samanta, Rakesh Vankayala, Chiranjeevi Thota
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2023-08-01
Series:Royal Society Open Science
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Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.230524
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Summary:Crystalline beta zeolite molecular sieve with SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 28.5 was synthesized by the hydrothermal crystallization method and examined for methanol dehydration reaction. The micro-mesoporous beta zeolite was active between 280 and 450°C. Dimethyl ether (DME) was observed as the predominant product at all reaction temperatures, with a maximum selectivity of 47.9% at 300°C and a methanol turnover frequency (TOFMeOH) of 741.9 h−1. At increased reaction temperatures, beta zeolite showed enhanced strong acid site fraction, promoting higher hydrocarbon formation following the olefin-based cycle. It was revealed that the crystallinity, porosity and acidity of beta zeolite change in the reaction environment. Amorphous carbon deposition occurred on beta zeolite, which involved a loss in crystallinity to some extent. The temperature increase showed a pore-broadening phenomenon at elevated temperature regions. Regeneration cycle testing demonstrated beta zeolite activity maintained stable throughout a 280 h time-on-stream period.
ISSN:2054-5703