NGU: Development of a two-bed circulating fluidized bed reactor system for nonoxidative aromatization of methane over Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst

A laboratory-scale two-bed circulating fluidized bed reactor system was developed for processing the Mo/HZSM-5 catalyzed methane dehydroaromatization reaction in continuous catalyst-regeneration mode. A binder-free, spherical-shaped fluidizable Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst was tested in the system to verify its high operativity and industrial applicability. The main operation parameters of the catalyst including temperature, space velocity, the height of catalyst bed, and the mean residence time were optimized in micro fixed and fluidized bed reactors in either continuous CH4 feed or cyclic CH4-H-2 switching feed mode. Its long-term activity and stability was evaluated in the two-bed circulating fluidized bed reactor system under continuous regeneration mode. At 1073 K and a space velocity of approximate to 3000 mL/g/h the catalyst has proven to be capable of providing a stable benzene yield of 12% over a cumulative period of 1600 min. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 325-333, 2016