Patents
The invention provides a process for the conversion of C5 hydrocarbons into butane by using a catalyst consisting of a porous crystalline synthetic material constituted by silicon, gallium and aluminium oxides. The said material is given the name gallium-aluminosilicate or Ga-HZSM-5 molecular sieve catalyst. In particular, the process is useful for the preparation of valuable butane from low value isopentane with high yield and selectivity, which can be used as petrochemical feed stocks or domestic fuel (LPG). In addition to butane, some amount of value added low benzene content C5+ liquid by-product are also obtained which can be used as gasoline blending stocks.