Oxidative dyhydrogenation of propane and butane to olefins using Co(5)MgA/O catalyst

Abstract

Olefins have enjoyed many uses in a wide variety of industries, from car manufacturing to energy production. Energy consuming processes of catalytic dehydrogenation, turning paraffins into olefins, has been commercialised since the early 20th century, while catalytic oxydehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins is still in prototype stages. The conflict between kinetic and thermodynamic yield constraints, has delayed the commercialisation of this process. The solution to achieving the relevant process route is exploitation of the right catalyst at moderate temperatures and pressures. Co5MgAlO is studied under atmospheric pressure and 350°C temperature, to dehydrogenate propane and butane to olefins using oxygen as a reactant. Thermodynamic models showing how many reaction routes are possible under atmospheric pressure were explored. Experimental results for butane to air at ratio of 1:0.8 and 1:1.2 hydrocarbons to air gave better selectivity of 1-butene which was more than 12%. When compared with propane at similar reaction ratios the reaction favoured CO2 at selectivity of more than 95%.