Catalysts based on fiberglass supports: V. Absorption and catalytic properties of palladium catalysts based on a leached silica-fiberglass support in the selective hydrogenation of an ethylene-acetylene mixture

Abstract

The absorption and catalytic properties of palladium catalysts (0.01% Pd) based on leached soda–silica fiberglass supports were studied in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene as the constituent of an ethylene–acetylene mixture. It was found that fiberglass catalysts exhibited much higher selectivity than traditional supported Pd catalysts. It was suggested that the high selectivity in the reaction of acetylene hydrogenation resulted from the selective absorption (diffusion) of acetylene in the bulk of fiberglass, where Pd microparticles are localized.