In this study, the selective hydrogenation of benzene in a mixture of benzene and normal heptane was investigated by 13X zeolite modified with Pd as catalyst (Pd/13X). The modification of 13X zeolite was carried out using a specified amount of Pd (NO3)2 in the solution and the experimental tests were conducted in the catalyst evaluation set-up (Cata-test). The characterizations of 13X and Pd/13X were studied by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and BET. Several variables affecting the catalyst performance such as temperature, pressure, WHSV and H2/HC mole ratio were investigated and optimized. It was found that the conversion of benzene was equal to 95% at the operating conditions of T = 200 °C, p = 1 MPa, WHSV = 20 h−1 and H2/HC molar ratio of 1.3.
