Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolite-Y from Bularafa Diatomaceous Earth for Catalytic Cracking of Liquid Paraffin
Authors: *Mohammed, H.I., Aji, M.M., Mohammed, B.F. And Pius M.U.
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18061446
ABSTRACT
The compelling need to develop zeolites locally from the available abundant resource and test their performance is rooted in the need for local content development and the high cost of importation. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of zeolite-Y from Bularafa Diatomaceous Earth (BDE) for the conversion of liquid paraffin to fuels and petrochemicals. The Bularafa Diatomaceous Earth was characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and zeolite was synthesized via hydrothermal route at 150 o for 8 hours. The zeolite was characterized using nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of the zeolite was evaluated for conversion of liquid paraffin to fuel or petrochemical feedstock in downdraft fixed bed reactor. The outcome indicates that BDE is rich in silica small fraction of alumina, and has a tridymite crystal phase. The product from hydrothermal crystallization was confirmed to be zeolite-Y with impurities. The BET multi point specific surface area, pore diameter were 178.3 m2/g and 1.54 to 5.88 nm, respectively. The zeolite was stable over a temperature range of 30 to 700 o. The zeolite was selective towards aromatics formation, yielding 54%. The zeolite-derived BDE is effective in the conversion of liquid paraffin to aromatics. Further improvement is needed to improve the selectivity of the zeolite for a specific product.
Affiliations: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Keywords: Catalyst, Catalytic Cracking, Diatomaceous Earth, Synthesis, Zeolite
Published date: 2025/12/30
