Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane with cobalt, tungsten and molybdenum based materials

Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane is a reliable alternative for olefins production. This paper presents the results obtained on oxidative dehydrogenation of propane by using two materials based on cobalt, tungsten, and molybdenum. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The CoMoφy material was calcined at 623 K, transforming itself to β-CoMoO4 phase (CoMoφ623), the same phase is observed when the material is calcined at 873 K (CoMoφy873). CoMoφy623 showed the best performance in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane, a yield to propene of 3.4% was obtained at 623 K using a space velocity of 100 mLg-1min-1. CoWsφy was calcined at 673 K, a low crystallinity wolframite was obtained. This material has a high selectivity to propene and low yield. CoMoφy873 has a selectivity and conversion within the range of the results reported in the literature. This is a prospective catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane; it was stable for 24 h of continuous operation at 773 K.