Pools and Constraints in Methanol Conversion to Olefins and Fuels on Zeolite HZSM5

Large reserves of natural gas are causing high actual interest for olefins and automotive fuels via methanol conversion on zeolite HZSM5. The chemistry of this process involves spatial constraints in the zeolite pores and a set of reacting compounds hosted dynamically in the pores. The kinetic scheme of reactions in this pool regime is a matter of current debate––a problem being the complexity of product composition and its temporal changes. However, the multi-compound product composition, if measured accurately and even time-resolved––including the compounds retained in/on the catalyst––is a profound source of information. Methanol conversion has been studied with zeolite HZSM5 and zeolite HY accordingly. The pool mechanism has been developed further, specifically as depending on frustration for distinct reactions. Particular pools as for olefins or for gasoline are specified. Mechanism changes with reaction time and with reaction temperature are described, including the surprising phenomenon of reanimation and the mechanisms of catalyst deactivation.