Abstract: A new generation catalyst RIC-270 with higher activity, selectivity and stability for xylene isomerization was developed by SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing and applied in the aromatics complex unit of SINOPEC Jinling Company in January 2020. Dense phase loading technology was adopted. And a new soft flow-guiding sealing cloth RKJ-1 at the upper part of the catalyst bed was used to replace the baffle plate. Industrial data showed that the isomerization activity（the mass ratio of PX/X）of the catalyst was 23.2%, ethylbenzene conversion rate was 30%, and C8 aromatics loss was only 2.4%. The initial reaction temperature and pressure of RIC-270 were relatively low,which indicated that RIC-270 had the potential of long-term stable operation.

Key words: isomerization catalyst, ethylbenzene, C8 aromatics, PX