Catalyst for Ethylbenzene Conversion in a Xylene Isomerization Process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for converting a feed mixture comprising an aromatic C8 mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene in which the para-xylene content of the xylene portion of the feed is less than equilibrium to produce a product mixture of reduced ethylbenzene content and a greater amount of para-xylene, which method comprises contacting the feed mixture at conversion conditions with a first catalyst having activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, and with a second catalyst having activity for the isomerization of a xylene.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A catalyst composition comprising a ZSM-5 aluminosilicate zeolite comprising 0.7+/−0.05 weight percent aluminum,
 wherein the catalyst composition comprises a hydrogenation metal, 
 wherein the catalyst composition has activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, and 
 wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average particle size of at least about 1 micron. 
 
     
     
         10 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein the aluminiosilicate molecular sieve comprises about 0.7 weight percent aluminum. 
     
     
         11 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length between about 5 microns and 25 microns. 
     
     
         12 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average width between about 1 micron and 10 microns, and an average thickness between about 1 micron and 10 microns. 
     
     
         13 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein the aluminosilicate molecular sieve is on a support. 
     
     
         14 . The catalyst composition of  claim 13 , wherein the support comprises silica. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns, an average width in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and an average thickness in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns. 
     
     
         17 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrogenation metal is selected from metals of groups VI and VIII. 
     
     
         18 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrogenation metal includes one or more of molybdenum, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium. 
     
     
         19 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein
 crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns, an average width in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and an average thickness in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns; and   the hydrogenation metal includes one or more of molybdenum, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium.   
     
     
         20 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein
 crystals of the catalyst composition have an average length in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns, an average width in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and an average thickness in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns; and   the hydrogenation metal is molybdenum.