Influence of the crystallite size of nickel on the course of the hydrogenolysis of propane and n-butane over Ni/Al 2O 3 catalysts

Abstract

The effect of the degree of nickel dispersion (crystallite size) on the reaction rate, selectivity and activation energy of the hydrogenolysis of propane and n-butane was studied. Maximum rates of propane and n-butane hydrogenolysis were observed in the range of nickel dispersion 3–4 nm and 2–3.5 nm, respectively. Minimum apparent activation energies of propane and n-butane hydrogenolysis were observed in the range of Ni crystallite size 2–3.5 nm. Maximum selectivity of the reaction towards methane was found in the same range of metal crystallite size.