Abstract: The dominant reaction pathways and the effect of reaction temperature and type of zeolites on the yield and selectivity of benzene formed during catalytic cracking of cumene were investigated. The results indicated that the main reactions of cumene cracking were dealkylation and protolytic cracking of alkyl side chain. Benzene was mainly formed by the dealkylation reaction. High reaction temperature and the existence of shape selective zeolite were in favor of benzene formation during cumene cracking. Under the conditions of a reaction temperature of 550℃, a WHSV of 8h-1 and a catalyst/oil weight ratio of 6, the yield and selectivity of benzene over shape selective zeolite catalyst were more than 40% and 55%, respectively.

Key words: catalytic cracking, cumene, benzene, shape selective zeolite, reaction temperature