LAUSR

Abstract In the present investigation, synthesis of cumene by transalkylation of 1, 4 DIPB with benzene was studied over cerium modified nano crystalline zeolite X in a fixed bed plug flow reactor. Nano crystalline zeolite X was synthesized and characterized by XRD, SEM, TPD, EDS and FTIR. A series of nanocrystalline zeolite X (MX4, MX6, MX10) modified with ceric ammonium nitrate of different concentrations (4 %, 6 %, 10 %) was used for synthesis of cumene. MX10 zeolite was proved to be the most active catalyst over which 27.12 % yield of cumene was obtained at temperature 553K, benzene/1, 4 DIPB mole ratio of 7.5 and space time-10.54 kg h/kmol. Reduction of crystal size (100–500 nm) in MX10 increases surface area (633m2/gm) and thereby increases cumene yield. A kinetic rate equation was developed from the product distribution pattern following Langmuir–Hinshelwood approach. Kinetic parameters were estimated by nonlinear regression analysis. The activation energy for transalkylation and isomerisation reaction was found to be 88.86 kJ/mol and 99.04 kJ/mol respectively.