Production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Range Alkanes from n-Octane via Catalytic Hydroconversion

Abstract

The production of light range alkanes with potentials as LPGs was carried out at 1 atm pressure over a range of reaction temperatures using both in situ and ex situ prepared molybdenum carbide supported sulphated zirconia catalysts. The in situ synthesized material formed the best system in terms of stability, conversion and selectivity to desired reaction products, as well as resistance to thermal treatment. This suggests its prospects as industrial material. Mechanistically, the reaction was believed to involved the participation of both the carbide and the sulphated zirconia surfaces via hydrogenolysis and hydrocracking, respectively. Reactions over the carbide formed mainly methane whereas propane and butanes could significantly be obtained over the sulphated zirconia.

Keywords: n-octane, hydroconversion, light gases, fuel, prospect.