CO2-Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane over Novel VOx on θ-Al2O3 Catalysts - A Green way for Propylene and Syngas Production

The proposed study aims at developing fluidizable catalyst(s) for a new CO2 assisted oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane process to produce propylene and syngas. The use of CO2 as a mild oxygenate will minimize the complete oxidation of propane/propylene. As a result, a higher propylene and syngas selectivity of can be achieved. This approach will also contribute to combating the environmental pollution by directly utilizing CO2, the major greenhouse gas responsible for the global warming. The proposed circulating fluidized bed technology requires a fluidizable catalyst for catalysing the CO2-Propane reaction according to redox mechanism. This process will also offer a better control of the heat of reaction, given the overall exothermic reaction is divided into two less exothermal steps. In order to achieve the above goals, the present project is focused on development of fluidizable VOx on boron (B) modified Al2O3 catalysts suitable for the novel ODH of propane with CO2 producing propylene and syngas. The Al2O3 support has high acid functionality and is known for appreciable propane conversion but its COx selectivity is also high. Incorporation of B into the VOx/Al2O3 catalyst system is expected to result in catalysts with ability towards higher propylene yields. The boron is hypothesized to improve the surface oxygen functionality via formation of B-O species. Different physiochemical characterization techniques will be used to study the surface and the morphological properties of the prepared catalyst in order to secure desired catalyst properties. For further advancement of this new technology, we will also be investigating these catalysts under realistic reaction conditions with various CO2 and propane concentrations. The role of CO2 in the ODH of propane will be systematically studied with various ratios of propane/CO2. The stability of the catalysts will also be established in repeated reaction-catalyst regeneration cycles, as the stable activity of the catalyst is important, without undergoing structural collapse in the repeated reaction cycles. It is expected that innovation and implementation of fluidized bed CO2 assisted ODH of propane technology will allow the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take the lead on developments of more efficient petrochemical technologies for propylene and syngas production creating in the process valuable R&D jobs for graduates from the local and international universities. The results of the research are expected to publish in internationally refereed journals and conferences. The intellectual properties of the project will be protected through DTV-KFUPM. PI and the research team will be working on the filing of invention disclosures, intellectual property protection and development of commercialization plans with the assistance of KFUPM. Thus, the proposed study is of strategic importance to Saudi Arabia and consistent to the vision 2030.