The isomerization of o-xylene on cobalt-exchanged catalyst was studied by varying the pressure, pretreatment conditions and the reaction atmosphere. Compared with the low-pressure(1 atm) operation, high pressure operation (180.7 psia) gave lower isom...
The isomerization of o-xylene on cobalt-exchanged catalyst was studied by varying the pressure, pretreatment conditions and the reaction atmosphere. Compared with the low-pressure(1 atm) operation, high pressure operation (180.7 psia) gave lower isomerization selectivity, but no deactivation. Steamtreatment of the catalyst resulted in higher activity and lower selectivity than the dry air treatment. Reaction atmosphere had an effect on coke formation. Regardless of pressure, nitrogen and helium atmosphere speeded up the deactivation process, and resulted in rapid decrease in 1, 3, 5-TMB formation and also decreased the amount of 1, 2, 3-TMB formed.