Kinetics of the catalytic dehydration of primary alcohols

The catalytic dehydrations of n ‐butanol, n ‐propanol, and ethanol to produce water and the respective olefins were studied for the temperature range 400° to 700°F. and over the pressure range 1 atm. to 100 lb./sq. in. gauge. Silica‐alumina catalyst in bead form was used. Dehydration rates were found to be consistent with a single‐site surface reaction‐controlled mechanism in which was superimposed a mass transfer effect internal to the catalyst pellets. Rate constants for the three reactions are presented. The significances of their relative values and their temperature and pressure dependencies are discussed.