A novel method for decoking of Pt–Sn/Al2O3 in the naphtha reforming process using RF and pin-to-plate DBD plasma systems

CATEGORY: NAPHTHA
A novel method for decoking of Pt–Sn/Al2O3 in the naphtha reforming process using RF and pin-to-plate DBD plasma systems

Type	Journal Article
Author	Neda HafezKhiabani
Author	Sohrab Fathi
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926860X14008035
Volume	493
Pages	8-16
Publication	Applied Catalysis A: General
Date	March 5, 2015
Abstract	Reports a study of the effect of pin-to-plate dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and radio frequency (RF) plasma on coked Pt–Sn/Al2O3 catalysts. Experimental results revealed that both pin-to-plate atmospheric pressure DBD and low-pressure RF plasma were able to remove the carbon from the coked catalysts. A number of reactive species, such as O, O*, O2+ and Ar*, were present in the plasma medium, which contributed to the decoking reactions. The amount of carbon in the coked catalysts, as in the plasma-treated and thermal-regenerated catalysts, was determined by CHNS elemental analysis. Raman spectroscopy, TG/DTA and TPO analysis were used to confirm the removal of the coke from the Pt–Sn/Al2O3 catalysts. The plasma process was monitored by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). XRD confirmed the retention of crystallinity in the catalyst samples before and after plasma treatment. XRF analysis was used to measure the chlorine percent of fresh, coked and plasma regenerated catalysts. The BET analysis indicated that the surface area and pore volume of the plasma-treated catalysts were almost equal to those of the fresh catalyst sample.