Alumina-supported Fe-based catalysts made by dry impregnation in the presence of a phosphate salt are explored in the endothermic catalytic dehydrogenation of propane. At 600 °C and atmospheric pressure, the most active catalyst exhibits 15% propane conversion and &gt;80% C3H6 selectivity giving an activity of ~10 mmol/h/gFe corresponding to a TOF of 19 h-1. During the initial stages of reaction under PDH conditions, the precatalyst is reduced and Fe(0) species are generated, eventually giving way to iron carbide species. During the induction period, significant carbon is incorporated into the catalyst and propylene selectivity is low. After the iron carbide phase appears the reactivity and selectivity stabilize, giving good propylene selectivity and good activity. Based on the identification of iron carbide as a useful, active phase for propane dehydrogenation, new iron compositions have been developed.

Propane dehydrogenation over supported iron catalysts

255th National Meeting (2018)

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