Influence of HZSM-5-based catalyst deactivation on the performance of different reactor configurations for the conversion of bioethanol into hydrocarbons

The conversion of bioethanol into hydrocarbons, BTH process, has been simulated in reactors with different catalyst regimes (packed bed, non-circulating fluidized bed and circulating fluidized bed). The production of value-added products, as light olefins (ethylene, propylene and butenes) and gasoline (C4+ hydrocarbons), has been targeted. Different activity profiles have been predicted for packed and fluidized bed reactors, and a circulating fluidized bed reactor has allowed a steady-state operation. The obtained product distribution in this reactor can be easily tuned by modifying the reaction conditions and the mean residence time of the catalyst in the reactor. Maximum yields of olefins (ca. 85%) are predicted to be achieved at low temperature (300 degrees C), low space time (0.1 gcat h g-1) or high content of water in the feed (75%), whereas the yield of gasoline is otherwise maximized (ca. 70%) at high temperature (400 degrees C), high space time (1.0 gcat h g-1) or low content of water in the feed (5%, azeotrope mixture). The results highlight the interest of having a useful and versatile simulation model to be used as a tool for the prediction of different reactor performances in processes with complex reaction networks and fast catalyst deactivation as the BTH process.

Automated summary

The simulation of the BTH process in reactors with different catalyst regimes showed varying product yields and distribution under different conditions, highlighting the potential for maximizing olefin or gasoline production in specific temperature, space time, and water content settings.