CATALYTIC PYROLYSIS OF NAPHTHA ON CALCIUM ALUMINATE CATALYSTS - EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CARBONATE IMPREGNATION

Steam pyrolysis of naphtha has been studied over potassium carbonate i mpregnated calcium aluminate (12CaO-7Al2O3) catalysts in a fixed-bed r eactor at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 1033-1093 K . The K2CO3 loading on the catalyst was varied from 0 to 8.8 wt %. Inc orporation of K2CO3 in the catalyst significantly reduced the coke dep osited on the catalyst. Compared to 12CaO-7Al2O3 catalyst, the yield o f CO2 was considerably higher whereas the hydrocarbon yields were marg inally reduced due to addition of K2CO3. A significant amount of potas sium loss from the catalyst occurred during the pyrolysis operation.