Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane with CO 2 over catalyst under pulse corona plasma

Abstract

The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene and acetylene with carbon dioxide at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure by pulse corona plasma over various catalysts has been investigated. The products included C 2H 4, C 2H 2 and syngas (H 2 and CO). The conversion of ethane and distribution of products depend on the catalyst used, the C 2H 6/CO 2 feed ratio, the energy density of plasma, etc. The rare earth metal oxides catalyst such as La 2O 3/γ-Al 2O 3 and CeO 2/γ-Al 2O 3 enhance the conversion of ethane and the yield of ethylene and acetylene. The sequence of ethane conversion and yield of ethylene and acetylene is from CeO 2/γ-Al 2O 3 to La 2O 3/γ-Al 2O 3. The metal catalyst Pd/γ-Al 2O 3 exhibits high ethylene selectivity. The optimum C 2H 6/CO 2 ratio in the feed for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane under plasma catalytic conditions is 1/1. The conversion of ethane and the yield of ethylene and acetylene increase with increasing of the energy density of plasma.