Modeling of Pt-Sn/γ-Al2O3 deactivation in propane dehydrogenation with oxygenated additives

A reduction in catalyst activity with time-on-stream and formation of side products are the major problems associated with catalytic propane dehydrogenation. Coke formation on the catalyst surface is the most important cause for catalyst deactivation. Experiments have indicated that the presence of very small amounts of oxygenated additives such as water can reduce the amount of coke accumulated on the catalyst surface and enhance catalyst activity. Addition of water beyond an optimum level, however, would result in a loss of activity due to sintering of catalyst. Propane dehydrogenation over a Pt-Sb/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst in the temperature range of 575 to 620 degrees C was investigated in the presence of small amounts of water added to the feed. A monolayer-multilayer mechanism was used to model the coke growth kinetics. Coke deposition and catalyst sintering were considered in a catalyst deactivation model to explain the observed optimum level in the amounts of water added to the feed. The model predictions for both propane conversion and coke formation with time-on-stream were in good agreement with experimental data.