Part II. Dehydrogenation of n-butane over carbon modified MoO3 supported on SiC

Molybdenum oxide supported on SiC is shown to be an active and stable catal yst for the dehydrogenation of n-butane. The activity of the catalyst was s tudied in a fixed bed microreactor, and the reaction product was analysed b y an on-line FTIR technique that enabled study of the activity of the catal yst during the first minutes on stream. At 560 degrees C under atmospheric pressure, the conversion of n-butane and the selectivity for C-4 alkenes we re stable at 20% and 70%, respectively. The n-butane feed was diluted with hydrogen and water, which were required for the formation of the active pha se and for stable operation. The active phase in dehydrogenation was compos ed of molybdenum oxide modified with carbon and limited to the uppermost la yer of the catalyst. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.