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 C ₃H₆ 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.