Methanol to propylene: the effect of iridium and iron incorporation on the HZSM-5 catalyst

The effect of iridium and iron impregnation of HZSM-5 zeolite on the methanol to propylene reaction (MTP) was investigated. The selectivities of propylene and other hydrocarbons, and the conversion of methanol were compared by performing MTP in a small pilot plant. The results indicate that HZSM-5 zeolite modified by iron and iridium increased propylene selectivity by 6.3% and 8%, respectively. The selectivity of propylene was higher for Ir/H-ZSM-5 than for Fe/H-ZSM-5, where Fe/H-ZSM-5 was more stable than Ir/H-ZSM-5. Analytic techniques, including X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, were used to characterize the modified zeolites as well as the parent zeolites.