Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane on supported vanadium-containing oxides Original Research Article

A series of alumina-supported MVSb (Msingle bondNi, Co, Bi, Sn) oxides and their binary constituents were tested as catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane in the 400–500°C temperature range. The highest selectivity to ethylene of up to 80% was characteristic of the NiVSb oxide composition. The presence of free vanadium and nickel oxides in the catalyst negatively influenced the selectivity to dehydrogenation product. The reaction network was found to be constituted of parallel reactions for ethylene, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide formation; at longer contact times consecutive reactions of ethylene and carbon monoxide overoxidation also occurred.