Cr2O3/Al-Al2O3 composite catalysts for hydrocarbons dehydrogenation prepared from aluminum nanopowder

Abstract

Aluminum nanopowder (10–150 nm) was treated hydrothermally in mild conditions (60–95 °C, at atmospheric pressure), and an aluminum-alumina composite with high porosity and specific surface area was obtained. Cr2O3/Al-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared using the aluminum-alumina composite by impregnation techniques and tested in dehydrogenation of C4-hydrocarbons. It was shown that aluminum-alumina composites had high chemical and phase purity, specific surface area of 150–350 m2/g and the average pore size of 8–13 nm, that is favorable for application as support for catalysts. Cr2O3/Al-Al2O3 catalysts had high activity and selectivity in dehydrogenation of n- and i-butane (conversion of 44–80 mol.% and selectivity >85% at temperatures of 540–610 °C), that is comparable ones for commercial catalysts for CATOFIN, STAR processes.