Primary and secondary reactions in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from dimethyl ether over a Pd-Zn-HZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst

The synthesis of hydrocarbons from dimethyl ether in an atmosphere of synthesis gas, over a Pd-Zn-HZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst, under flow-circulation conditions, at a pressure of 10.0 MPa, was investigated. It was found that the resulting hydrocarbon fractions were characterized by a low concentration of aromatic compounds and high concentrations of iso- and cycloalkanes. The dependence of the yields of the main groups of products and individual components on the contact time was explained in terms of the occurrence of methylation, oligomerization, hydrogenation, H-transfer, and hydroisomerization reactions. The role of Pd and Zn in the formation of the products was evaluated. •The catalyst for gasoline synthesis from DME with a low aromatic content is proposed.•Gasoline synthesis was investigated under flow-circulation conditions at 10.0 MPa.•Chemistry of gasoline synthesis was studied in a wide range of DME conversion.•The combination Pd and Zn over ZSM-5 demonstrates the synergistic effect.•The concentration of isoalkanes in gasoline is >70 wt%.