LAUSR

Abstract Selective propane dehydrogenation is one of the commercialised technology for the production of propylene. The main drawback of such process is closely linked to the high temperature required to reach a sustainable propane conversion that affects catalyst stability owing to coke formation on the catalyst surface. Accordingly, a periodic regeneration of catalytic bed is required. The simultaneous actions of performing the reaction in the presence of Pd-based membrane and optimization of employed catalyst could lead to a substantial reduction in the operating reaction temperature, decreasing the extent of reactions responsible for coke formation. To this aim a comprehensive study of catalytic behaviour is essential and accordingly a dedicated experimental program is reported for propane dehydrogenation on a Pt-based catalyst, by focusing the attention on the operating conditions compatible with membrane integration. Both activity and stability of the catalyst system was evaluated in the investigated conditions, in addition mathematical models were optimized to effectively describe the system behaviour and the catalyst deactivation.