INCREASING THE Si/Al RATIO OF NATURAL ZEOLITE MORDENITE AS BASIC MATERIAL OF CATALYST

Abstract

One of the application of zeolite as a multi-function mineral is the use as catalyst. Investigation to utilize Indonesian natural zeolite as a catalyst will increase the added value and gives a chance to reduce the dependency of imported catalyst. One of the main property, which allow zeolite to be used as a catalyst, is a high silica-alumina ratio, where Si/Al >10. As a preminalry stage to form a catalyst zeolite, research has been carried out to increase the Si/Al ratio of natural mordenite from Cikalong, Tasikmalaya. The method applied is dealumination process, which is followed by calcinations and ion exchange. This process is expected to modify the Na-zeolite from natural mordenit to be a NH4-zeolite which can be transformed to a catalyst zeolite. Dealumination process is carried out using HNO3, with variable concentration and time at temperature of 85C. Thereafter, zeolite is calcined at 700C and is followed ion exchange process using NH4NO3. The current stage of research has been succeeded to increase the Si/Al ratio of natural mordenite from Si/Al @ 5 to Si/Al > 10. The process condition applied is dealumination with 8N HNO3 for 24 hours at 85C and is followed by calcinations at 700C for 2 hours. Ion exchange is proceeded with 5% NH4NO3 for 2 hours and is followed by another calcinations at 400C for 2 hours.