Flexible Ni-based structured catalysts for ethylene production through ODH of ethane

J.P. BORTOLOZZI; M.A. ULLA; N.L. COURTALÓN; MIRÓ; E. D. BANÚS; V.G. MILT

San Sebastián

Congreso; 5th International Conference on Structured Catalysts and Reactors; 2016

Univeridad del Pais Vasco - Universidad de Navarra - Universidad de Sevilla

Ethylene is a valuable intermediate in actual chemical industry because it is a building block employed to synthesize polymers and fibers. It is mainly produced by steam cracking of naphtha or ethane, which require very high operating temperatures. Therefore, less energy-demanding alternatives to obtain this olefin are under research. Among them, the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) is a promising route. This reaction is not thermodynamically limited and it can be operated with lower temperatures, allowing a significant energy saving.Powder catalysts are difficult to apply in a commercial scale plant. However, their deposition on a substrate to build a structured system could make it possible. An example of substrates are ceramic papers that have characteristic advantages as versatility and flexibility. They also provide a porous structure that favors the diffusion of reactants and products.