Abstracto

Deactivation of Fe-K commercial catalysts during ethylbenzene dehydrogenation and novel method for their regeneration

M.Khatamian, M.Ghadiri, M.Haghighi

Deactivation of Fe-K commercial catalyst has been studied during the ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene. After using the catalyst for two years, a long-term reaction test led to 15% reduction in the styrene selectivity. For the activation of these catalysts, oxidants like N2O, CO2, air, steam and mixtures of these components have been examined. Fresh, used and regenerated catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), BET measurement, ICP elemental analysis and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). Catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene was investigated using fresh, used and regenerated catalysts at 660°C and atmospheric pressure in the presence of steam. Results have demonstrated that high tendency of N2O to increase the Fe2O3 active phase and regain the oxidation state of iron.