Development of a New Micro- spherical Catalyst for Paraffin Dehydrogenation with Improved Operational Characteristics
The authors have developed a new microspherical catalyst for paraffin dehydrogenation with improved operational characteristics on the basis of a high-strength alumina support synthesized from technical aluminum trihydrate during thermal and hydrothermal processing. They studied the basic laws of formation of particle morphology, phase structure and porous structure of the alumina support by methods of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. Industrial conditions of alumina support synthesis using convective-type calcining equipment and an industrial autoclave with working temperature up to 200°С have been selected. Activity (isobutylene yield) and selectivity of industrial samples of the catalyst in the isobutane dehydrogenation reaction were 48-49% and 88-89%, respectively. Industrial technology of production (capacity of 100 t/month) of the new microspherical catalyst for isobutane dehydrogenation with improved operational characteristics including stages of technical aluminum trihydrate preparation, alumina support synthesis, active component application and catalyst granule calcination has been introduced at JSC "Karpov Chemical Plant" (Mendeleevsk).