Enhancement of Sudan Gasoline Octane Number by Natural and Synthetic Zeolites

The sample of natural zeolite is collected from the Sudan area, (scolecite) from Buda desert. And the other one is synthetic zeolite (Y). The study characterized the natural zeolite (scolecite) and synthetic (Y). Using thin sections for natural zeolite to recognize it. Beside different techniques as follow: Atomic absorption, x- ray diffraction (XRD), inferared spectroscopy (FTIR), acidity measured by pyridine FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study was carried out for selected natural zeolite (scolecite) and synthetic zeolite (Y) they are modification by two methods impregnation and ion exchange using ammonium chloride and platinum hydrochloride H₂PtCl₆ The Naphtha was obtained from the refinery of Khartoum Company (it has octane number40). Piona of naphtha was studied by GC. The natural and synthetic zeolites modification was applied on reforming process to increase the gasoline octane number. The study carried out fourteen experiments for each kind of zeolite with a variety of reactions conditions like liquid hour space velocity (LHSV), pressure and temperature, the optimal experiments with suitable conditions gave good results. Octane number increased in pressure rang 8-12 bar, liquid hour space velocity 2 and temperature 480- 500°C. The synthetic zeolite (Y) raised the octane number from (40 to 93.5). The natural zeolite (scolecite) also showed good properties and increased the octane number from (40 to 87.9). It needs more purification and modification to reach the synthetic. The study explained that the two zeolites (natural, synthetic) are successful for application in reforming process.