CATALYTIC PYROLYSIS OF METHYLCYCLOHEXANE - KINETICS AND MODELING

Steam pyrolysis of methylcyclohexane has been studied over potassium c arbonate impregnated calcium aluminate catalyst in a fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 973-1073 K. Compa red to noncatalytic pyrolysis, the conversion was significantly higher but the hydrocarbon product selectivities were not affected in the pr esence of the catalyst. Incorporation of K2CO3 in the catalyst signifi cantly reduced the coke deposited on the catalyst. The overall catalyt ic pyrolysis reaction could be represented by a first-order reaction w ith a preexponential factor of 1.1x10(3) m(3)/(kg s) and an activation energy of 106.9 kJ/mol. The experimental product yields could be sati sfactorily modeled by use of a molecular reaction scheme, consisting o f a first-order primary reaction and twenty four secondary reactions a mong the primary products. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r eserved.