Influence of the activation method on the activity of the nickel catalyst

The results of a comparative analysis of the influence of the activation method on the catalytic properties of a nickel diatomaceous earth catalyst during the conversion of isopropyl alcohol to acetone are presented. Studies of the activity of the catalyst in the reaction of gas-phase dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol were carried out on a flow-type laboratory installation at a temperature of 150-350ºC. The mechanical activation of the nickel diatomaceous earth catalyst was carried out in a planetary mill. Traditional activation included pre-heat treatment of nickel diatomaceous earth catalyst in an atmosphere of O2 and H2 at 250°C; IR radiation was carried out using an incandescent lamp. It is shown that the nature of the activator determines the features of the formed surface nickel complexes. The activity of samples of the nickel diatomaceous earth catalyst subjected to activation by thermal reduction and thermal oxidation, as well as IR irradiation, testified to the low efficiency of these methods. A comparison of the activity of industrial nickel diatomaceous earth catalyst samples subjected to different activation methods showed that processing of samples by thermal reduction and thermal oxidation slightly increases the yield of acetone. In contrast, the original catalyst's IR irradiation and mechanical activation decreased its activity. Thus, thermal reduction and oxidation methods are promising for further research to increase the industrial nickel diatomaceous earth catalyst activity in dehydrogenating isopropyl alcohol into acetone.