A Fluidizable Catalyst for N-Butane Oxidative Dehydrogenation under Oxygen-Free Reaction Conditions

This study evaluates the effectiveness of fluidizable VOx/MgO-γAl2O3 catalysts for C4-olefin production via n-butane oxidative dehydrogenation (BODH). Catalysts were prepared via vacuum incipient wetness impregnation and then characterized by employing several techniques such as BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) method, XRD (X-ray diffraction), LRS (laser Raman spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), TPR/TPO (temperature-programmed reduction/temperature-programmed oxidation), NH3-TPD (temperature-programmed desorption), NH3 -desorption kinetics and pyridine-FTIR. The BET analysis showed the prepared catalysts’ mesoporous structure and high surface areas. The XRD, LRS and XPS established the desirable presence of amorphous VOx phases. The TPR/TPO analyses corroborated catalyst stability over repeated reduction and oxidation cycles. The NH3-TPD and NH3 desorption kinetics showed that the catalysts had dominant moderate acidities and weak metal-support interactions. In addition, Pyridine-FTIR showed the critical influence of Lewis acidity. The VOx/MgO-γAl2O3 catalysts were evaluated for BODH using a fluidized CREC Riser Simulator, operated under gas-phase oxygen-free conditions, at 5 to 20 s reaction times, and at 450 °C to 600 °C temperatures. The developed VOx/MgO-γAl2O3 catalysts demonstrated performance stability throughout multiple injections of butane feed. Catalyst regeneration was also conducted after six consecutive BODH runs, and the coke formed was measured using TOC (Total Organic Carbon). Regarding the various BODH catalyst prepared, the 5 wt% V-doped MgO-γAl2O3 yielded in a fluidized CREC Riser Simulator the highest selectivity for C4-olefins, ranging from 82% to 86%, alongside a butane conversion rate of 24% to 27%, at 500 °C and at a 10 s reaction time.