Preparation and high temperature activation of ruthenium on carbon hydrogenation catalysts

Abstract

Treatment of ruthenium on carbon support in air (calcination) or in hydrogen (reduction) at temperatures of 400–500°C is not a suitable step in the catalyst preparation procedure because of the catalytic activity of ruthenium in the oxidation and hydrogenation of carbon. No substantial methanation of the carbon support occurs, however, when the reduction with hydrogen is performed at high temperatures (700–800°C) for short contact times. Calcination in nitrogen in combination with this high temperature reduction procedure results in catalysts with high activity in the liquid phase hydrogenation of benzene.