Catalytic Dehydration of Bioethanol to Ethylene Over Modified HZSM-5 Zeolite at Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

The catalytic conversion of bioethanol to ethylene has gained significant attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional petrochemical ethylene production due to the increasing demand for renewable feedstocks and environmentally friendly chemical processes. The present study investigates the catalytic dehydration of bioethanol to ethylene over modified HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts at atmospheric pressure under controlled reaction conditions. The research focuses on evaluating catalyst activity, ethylene selectivity, ethanol conversion efficiency, and catalyst stability associated with modified zeolitic catalytic systems. Experimental analysis was conducted to examine the influence of reaction temperature, catalyst modification, ethanol feed concentration, space velocity, and acidity characteristics on dehydration performance and product distribution. Results demonstrate that modified HZSM-5 zeolite effectively promotes ethanol dehydration through acid-catalyzed reaction pathways, resulting in high ethylene yield and reduced formation of undesired byproducts such as diethyl ether and hydrocarbons. The study further reveals that optimized catalyst acidity and pore structure significantly enhance reactant diffusion, active site accessibility, and catalytic selectivity toward ethylene production. Elevated reaction temperatures improved ethanol conversion efficiency while maintaining stable catalytic performance under atmospheric operating conditions. Comparative assessment with conventional ethylene production technologies confirms the advantages of bioethanol dehydration, including renewable feedstock utilization, lower environmental impact, and reduced dependence on fossil resources.