Catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene (King Fahd University Of Petroleum And Minerals)

PATENT
Catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene (King Fahd University Of Petroleum And Minerals)
Publication number US8609568 B2
Application number US 12/897,686
Publication date Dec 17, 2013
Inventors
Shakeel Ahmed, Faizur Rahman, Uwais Baduruthamal
Original Assignee
King Fahd University Of Petroleum And Minerals
Abstract
The catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene includes vanadium and aluminum incorporated into the framework of a mesoporous support, viz., MCM-41, to form V—Al-MCM-41, and nickel impregnated onto the walls of the mesoporous support. Nickel loading is preferably in the range of 5 to 15% by weight of the catalyst. A process for the production of propylene from propane includes steps of placing the catalyst in a fixed bed reactor, introducing a flow of feedstock in a propane:oxygen:nitrogen ratio of about 6:6:88 by volume, maintaining the reactor at atmospheric pressure and in a temperature range of about 400 to 550° C., collecting the product, and separating propylene from the product. The process achieves propane conversion between about 6 to 22%, and a selectivity for propylene between about 22 and 70%, depending upon percent nickel content and temperature of the reaction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to catalysts for converting alkanes to alkenes, and particularly to a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene.
2. Description of the Related Art
Propylene is a commercially valuable product. The reactivity of the allylic carbon makes propylene useful for the production of polypropylene, acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, propylene glycol, cumene, and other products, which are useful as final products and as intermediates in the synthesis or production of other commodities.
The majority of propylene is produced by steam hydrocracking of crude petroleum, or by distillation. However, such processes are not highly selective or produce propylene in low yield. Recently, there has been renewed interest in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane for the production of propylene. Oxidative dehydrogenation is attractive because it can be accomplished at lower temperatures than cracking or distillation processes, thereby avoiding complications and expense resulting from coking of the catalyst. Nevertheless, oxidative dehydrogenation is not currently used for the production of propylene, largely due to low yields and lack of selectivity of the currently known catalysts.
Thus, a catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene includes vanadium and aluminum incorporated into the framework of a mesoporous support, viz., MCM-41, to form V—Al-MCM-41, and nickel impregnated onto the walls of the mesoporous support. Nickel loading is preferably in the range of 5 to 15% by weight of the catalyst. A process for the production of propylene from propane includes steps of placing the catalyst in a fixed bed reactor, introducing a flow of feedstock in a propane:oxygen:nitrogen ratio of about 6:6:88 by volume, maintaining the reactor at atmospheric pressure and in a temperature range of about 400 to 550° C., collecting the product, and separating propylene from the product. The process achieves propane conversion between about 6 to 22%, and a selectivity for propylene between about 22 and 70%, depending upon percent nickel content and temperature of the reaction.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
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