The Battle for Octane: Ethanol to Aromatics

Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research

 Content

1. What is the effect of Aromatics to

environment and fuel economy?
2.Why Refineries are still using
Aromatics?
3.How to Transform Ethanol to
Aromatics?
What is the effect of Aromatics to environment and fuel
economy ?

• Aromatics have the highest emission

rate per any hydrocarbon found in
gasoline.
• In several studies
that identify specific tailpipe emissions,
aromatics can have three times the
emission rate as compared to ethanol.
 Why Refineries are still using Aromatics?
• Aromatics are considered the highest octane value
for any given hydrocarbon produced at an oil
refinery.
• Since aromatics are a product refiners own they
prefer to use it over increasing levels of ethanol.
Study of Ethanol and Toluene marketshare
Conversion of Ethanol to Aromatics over various Catalysts
Ethanol is one of the main biomass-derived products. In this study,
we experimented with several zeolite catalysts and several metal catalysts
supported on zeolite for the conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbons, and
found
that the low Si/Al2 ratio version of H-ZSM-5 has high activity for the
production of higher hydrocarbons, as reported elsewhere [1-7]; moreover
we
found that loading of Ga and noble metals on H-ZSM-5 support enhances
the
formation of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Conversion of Ethanol to Aromatics over Metal/Zeolite Catalyst
• Zeolite H-ZSM-5 is capable of converting
ethanol in the presence of water to a
range of hydrocarbons, both aliphatics
and aromatics.
• The composition of the reaction
products can be selectively directed by

changing reaction conditions .

• No deactivation is observed, probably
due to the presence of water.
• Application of the prepared catalysts for
• Furthermore, the Zn/zeolite
catalytic conversion of ethanol to
catalyst also had the highest
aromatic compounds showed the highest
selectivity toward
aromatic content was Zn/zeolite which
ethylbenzene.
 Conclusion

Energy Industry Specialists are sure that Clean Octane

benefits of Ethanol will drive the change.

Since, Aromatics are the precursor for many important

chemicals, Ethanol to Aromatics conversion will be
commendable Venture.

This Process will cut down dependency on Fossil Fuel

and increase value of Biomass