Abstract
This work examined the catalytic reaction of trimethylbenzene (TMB) over bifunctional catalysts (Pt/USY) in a fixed bed reactor. Experimental results showed that platinum over SiO2 only exhibited the hydrogenation of TMB. Platinum over USY (Si/Al＞50) under the operating conditions (P=800psi, WHSV =4h-1, H2/H.C=6mol/mol, T=210~290℃) exhibited the hydrogenation, ring opening and isomerization of TMB. The relative reaction rate in the order of hydrogenation >> isomerization ? ring opening > cracking. The trimethylcyclohexane (TMCH) and TMB as the feed under various operating conditions indicated the ring opening occurred in the intermediate between TMB and TMCH. In addition, 1,2,4-TMB showed the better reactivity of ring opening than 1,3,5-TMB over Pt/USY.