Ethanol to gasoline process: effect of variables, mechanism, and kinetics

The conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbons by use of a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst was studied. The effects of zeolite Si/Al ratio, ethanol dilution, and process variables (temperature, space velocity, pressure, and recycle rate of gaseous products) were established. Results were justified in accordance with a carbenium ion mechanism previously suggested in the literature. This process could be described by a second-order reaction with simultaneous formation of paraffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The experimental data agreed with the model wit a mean deviation of less than 10%. The thermochemistry of the ethanol to hydrocarbon process is considered.