Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 21 No 4 (2017): 839 - 848

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/mjas-2017-2104-10

 

 

 

PRODUCTION OF ETHYLENE FROM ETHANOL DEHYDRATION OVER H₃PO₄-MODIFIED CERIUM OXIDE CATALYSTS

 

(Penghasilan Etilena Daripada Pendehidratan Etanol Dengan Mangkin Serium Oksida Terubahsuai H₃PO₄)

 

Soo Ling Chong¹, Jiah Chee Soh¹, Chin Kui Cheng^1,2*

 

¹Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering

²Centre of Excellence for Advanced Research in Fluid Flow

Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: chinkui@ump.edu.my

 

 

Received: 20 September 2016; Accepted: 16 May 2017

 

 

Abstract

Production of ethylene from ethanol dehydration was investigated over H₃PO₄ (10 wt.% to 30wt.%)-modified cerium oxide catalysts synthesized by wet impregnation technique. The prepared catalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the physicochemical properties. The ethanol catalytic dehydration was carried out in a fixed-bed reactor at 673-773 K and at ethanol partial pressure of 33 kPa. The effects of phosphorus loading on catalyst and reaction temperatures were investigated in terms of catalytic activity towards product selectivity and yield. Overall, the selectivity and yield of ethylene increased with the temperature and phosphorus loading. The highest ethylene selectivity and yield were 99% and 65%, respectively, at 773 K and 33 kPa over the 30 wt.% H₃PO₄-modified cerium oxide.

 

Keywords:  ethylene production, ethanol dehydration, H₃PO₄ modification, cerium oxide

 

Abstrak

Penghasilan etilena daripada pendehidratan etanol telah dikaji dengan mangkin serium oksida terubahsuai H₃PO₄ (10 wt.% hingga 30 wt.%) yang dihasilkan melalui kaedah pengisitepuan. Mangkin disediakan telah dicirikan menggunakan mikroskop elektron imbasan (SEM), kaedah  penjerapan-nyahjerapan N₂, pembelauan sinar-X (XRD), spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR) dan analisis termogravimetri (TGA) untuk mengetahui sifat fizikokimia mangkin. Tindak balas pendehidratan etanol dengan mangkin dilakukan di dalam reaktor turus terpadat pada julat suhu 673 – 773 K dan tekanan separa etanol 33 kPa. Pengaruh muatan H₃PO₄ dan suhu tindak balas kimia dalam pendehidratan etanol telah dikaji. Secara keseluruhan, kepilihan dan hasil etena meningkat dengan muatan H₃PO₄ dan suhu tindak balas kimia. Kepilihan dan hasil etena tertinggi masing-masing ialah 99% dan 65% pada 773 K dan 33kPa untuk mangkin serium oksida terubahsuai H₃PO₄ 30 wt.%.

 

Kata kunci:  penghasilan etilena, pendehidratan etanol, pengubahsuaian H₃PO₄, serium oksida

 

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