Active phases in chromia–alumina dehydrogenation catalysts. Electron spin resonance and kinetic studies

Abstract

The rate of propane dehydrogenation on chromia–alumina has been measured in a flow system over the temperature range 800–891 K. Results show that the reaction rate dependence was of a fractional order (0.66) with respect to propane partial pressure, and an apparent activation energy of 138.8 kJ mol^–1 was obtained. The effect of various pretreatments has been found to influence strongly both the e.s.r. spectra of the chromia phases and the activation energy of the reaction.