CATALYTIC COMBUSTION OF C3 HYDROCARBONS AND OXYGENATES OVER MN3O4

The catalytic oxidation of the C3 organic compounds: propane, propene, l-propanol, 2-propanol, prop-2-en-1-ol (allyl alcohol), propanal, pro panone (acetone) and propenal (acrolein) has been investigated over Mn 3O4 in the presence of excess oxygen. Total combustion to CO2 occurs a t temperatures > 623 K (673 K for propane). However, the production of pollutant products (such as propene from propane, CO from propene, ac etaldehyde from propanols, propanal and propanone, carboxylic acids) p ersists even at very high volatile organic compounds (VOC) conversions . On the basis of the reaction products, a tentative reaction pathway for propane and propene combustion is proposed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie nce B.V.