Chapter 4 - Partial Oxidation and Dehydrogenation of Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Partial oxidation and dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, many of commercial importance, have been studied under composition modulation. Results are presented for methane partial oxidation, reforming of methane to syngas and oxidative coupling of methanation. The application of modulation to the industrially important epoxidation selectivity is discussed. The chapter continues with propene and butane partial oxidations and ammoxidation, then catalytic dehydrogenation of propane, butane and higher hydrocarbons. Maleic anhydride from butane in a circulating fluidized bed is considered along with studies of different VPO catalysts. The chapter concludes with an examination of the use of periodic operation studies to produce maleic and phthalic anhydrides and aromatic nitriles from aromatic hydrocarbons.