Conversion of ethane to ethylene and synthesis gas with cerium oxide. Promoting effect of Pt, Ph and Ru

The reaction between ethane and cerium oxide with and without noble metal p romoters has been studied at temperatures up to 700 degreesC in a pulse app aratus. The cerium oxide was supported on gamma -Al2O3 and promoted by reim pregnation with Pt, Ph or Ru. The promoters drastically enhanced the conver sion of ethane, but the yield of ethylene was highest with unpromoted ceriu m oxide and at high temperatures. The product yield depended strongly on th e degree of reduction of the material samples. Carbon dioxide was formed in reaction with the fresh unpromoted cerium oxide. The yield of ethylene inc reased as the degree of reduction of the cerium oxide increased at 700 degr eesC. No water was formed simultaneously with the production of ethylene. T his shows that the dehydrogenation that took place was non-oxidative. Ethan e in reaction with the fresh promoted cerium oxide material samples yielded mostly carbon dioxide and water. The product yields changed towards carbon monoxide and hydrogen together with methane and coke as the promoted mater ials were being reduced. Some ethylene was formed also with the platinum-pr omoted material sample with a high degree of reduction.