On the role of heterogeneous and homogeneous processes in oxidative dehydrogenation of C 3-C 4 alkanes

• Published in: Catalysis today Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 287 - 293
• Main Authors: Vislovskiy, V.P., Suleimanov, T.E., Sinev, M.Yu, Tulenin, Yu.P., Margolis, L.Ya, Cortés Corberán, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10.08.2000
• Subjects: C 3-C 4-alkanes; Heterogeneous and homogeneous processes; Oxidative dehydrogenation; Vanadium-antimony oxide catalysts; Oxidative dehydrogenation; Heterogeneous and homogeneous processes; C 3-C 4-alkanes; Vanadium-antimony oxide catalysts
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/S0920-5861(00)00386-2

The effects of reactor arrangement, catalyst particle size and void volume on the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane and iso-butane are studied. In an empty quartz reactor, a high conversion of alkane (up to 36% with a 40% ODH selectivity) can be achieved. Packing of the reactor with different solids (quartz, γ-Al 2O 3, complex V-containing oxide catalysts) leads to a drastic change in reaction parameters, which is strongly dependent on the chemical nature of solids and their particle size. The analysis of observed phenomena indicates that: (a) the termination of gas-phase chain reaction takes place on the surface of any solid material; (b) certain solids behave as active generators of free radicals, thus initiating the new reaction pathway which develops both in the gas-phase and on the solid surface.