Nonoxidative and Oxidative Propane Dehydrogenation over Bimetallic Mo–Ni/Al2O3 Catalyst

Propane nonoxidative and oxidative dehydrogenation reactions were investigated over bimetallic alumina supported Mo–Ni catalyst in a quartz fixed-bed reactor at 0.1 MPa within the temperature range of 773–973 K. Time-on-stream analysis showed that Mo–Ni catalyst is stable at 4 h reaction time during ODH, while it significantly deactivated during NODH due to heavy carbon deposition confirmed by TOC. Hydrogen production was considerable during both reactions. C3H6 production rate is significantly higher during NODH at T > 823 K. An increase of the propane partial pressure resulted in a decrease in propane conversion to 83.2%, and selectivity to C3H6 significantly enhanced from 7.1 to 16.3%. An increase in oxygen partial pressure increased propane conversion from 74 to 95%, while the selectivity to C3H6 was considerably diminished at 923 K.