Naphtha isomerization using a medium pore zeolite catalyst

Abstract

Naphtha is isomerized using a medium-pore zeolite catalyst. Isomerization is accomplished by contacting the hydrocarbon with the medium-pore zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range 200.degree. to 400.degree. C., preferably, at a space velocity of 0.05 to 75 v/v/hr, preferably, at a pressure at 14.7 to 1500 psig. The medium zeolite catalyst employed has a silica to alumina ratio in the range of about 5 to >30, preferably 10-20, more preferably 12-17 and a pore size of about 5.5 to 6.8 .ANG.. The preferred medium pore zeolite is a zeolite of the offretite type. The zeolite preferably has associated with it a hydrogenation component which is typically a Group VIII metal, oxide or sulphide, or mixtures thereof, preferably platinum or palladium. The preferred offretite type zeolite may be any of the readily available commercial materials and may have their SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratios enhanced by typical methods such as H-EDTA or mineral acid leaching, or similarly may be any of the specialty offretites and offretite type zeolites now being described in the patent or general literature.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.