Vanadium-based catalytic membrane reactors for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

Abstract

Several catalytic membranes have been studied, with different loadings and radial distribution of the catalytic material. Two types of catalytic membranes have been prepared on top of alumina supports: (a) V/MgO membranes, where MgO was deposited in the support pores before impregnation with V, and (b) V/Al 2O 3 membranes, where the alumina supports were impregnated with a boehmite sol before V deposition. In both cases the introduction of V was carried only from the internal side of the porous tube, and using short impregnation times, in order to obtain a radial distribution of active material. The membranes prepared have been tested under reaction conditions, giving yields to propene of up to 15%. It was found that the best V/MgO membranes are more selective but less active than the best V/Al 2O 3 membranes.