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. C 3 H 6 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 C 3 H 6 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 C 3 H 6 was considerably diminished at 923 K.