Hydrocracking of cumene over Ni/Al2O3 as influenced by CeO2 doping and gamma-irradiation

Cumene hydrocracking was carried out over pure and doped Ni/Al2O3 solids and also, on these solids after exposure to different doses of gamma-rays between 0.4 and 1.6 MGy. The dopant concentration was varied between 1 and 4 mol\% CeO2. Pure and doped samples were subjected to heat treatment at 400degreesC and cumene hydrocracking reaction was carried out using various solids at temperatures between 250degreesC and 400degreesC by means of micropulse technique. The results showed that both CeO2 doping and gamma-irradiation of the investigated system brought about an increase in its specific surface area. gamma-irradiation of pure samples increased their catalytic activities effectively. However, the doping caused a decrease in the catalytic activity. gamma-irradiation of the doped samples brought about a net decrease in the catalytic activity. The catalytic reaction products over different investigated solids were ethylbenzene as a major product together with different amounts of toluene, benzene and C-1-C-3 gaseous hydrocarbons. The selectivity towards the formation of various reaction products varies with the reaction temperature, doping and gamma-irradiation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.