The objective of this study is to explore the optimum composition of Y and ZSM-5 zeolites to develop novel catalysts for obtaining lower gasoline olefins content and higher propylene yield. Five composite zeolite catalysts with varying Y zeolite/ZSM-5 zeolite ratios have been prepared in this work to investigate the synergy between the Y zeolite and ZSM-5 zeolite on the selectivity to protolytic cracking, β-scission, oligomerization, and hydrogen transfer reactions using a FCC naphtha feedstock at 480 ℃ in a confined fluidized bed reactor. Experimental results showed that the composite catalyst with a Y zeolite/ZSM-5 zeolite ratio of 1:4 had the highest protolytic cracking and β-scission ability, which was even higher than that of pure ZSM-5 catalyst. On the other hand, the catalyst with a Y zeolite/ZSM-5 zeolite ratio of 3:2 exhibited the strongest hydrogen transfer functionality while the pure Y zeolite based catalyst had the highest oligomerization ability. For all the catalysts tested, increasing conversion enhanced the selectivity to protolytic cracking and hydrogen transfer reactions but reduced the selectivity to β-scission reaction. However, no clear trend was identified for the selectivity to oligomerization when an increased conversion was experienced.
