Thermoconversion of ethanol on Al2O3 and SiO2 oxides

This work is devoted to the study of the catalytic properties of Al2O3 and SiO2 in the process of thermal conversion of ethanol, as well as to the determination of the acid characteristics of these oxides The catalytic properties of oxides in the thermal conversion of ethanol were studied in a flow-through mode at a reaction temperature of 250°C and a space velocity of 0,5 h-1. The acidic characteristics of the Al2O3 and SiO2 oxides were determined by the method temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH3). It has been established that the process of thermal conversion of ethanol includes the reactions of dehydration, dehydrogenation and dimerization. During the thermal conversion of ethanol on aluminum and silicon oxides, a dehydration reaction occurs with the formation of diethyl ether, with concentrations of 24,5 vol. % on Al2O3 and 19,6 vol. % on SiO2. It was determined that in parallel with the reaction of ethanol dehydration, its dehydrogenation with the formation of acetaldehyde takes place, but with a lower selectivity compared to dehydration. It was found that on Al2O3, which has a lower acidity in comparison with SiO2, the deformation of acetaldehyde occurs with the formation of butanol.