Catalyst for Selective Conversion of Ethane to Ethylene at Low Temperatures

Reduces Carbon Emissions and Energy Costs During Ethylene Production

This catalyst promotes ethane dehydrogenation to ethylene at near-room temperatures and increases selectivity toward ethylene, reducing energy costs and cutting the output of environmentally harmful gases in ethylene production. Ethylene sells in the largest quantities among all products generated in the petrochemical industry and is an essential feedstock for the production of other chemicals and products, such as polymers. Accordingly, the global demand for ethylene could approach an expected $234 billion by 2020. Standard industrial practice converts ethane into ethylene through steam cracking. However, this process requires the heating of ethane to high temperatures (~800 °C), leading to high energy costs, and generates large quantities of CO and CO2 by-products, contributing to environmental pollution.

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a catalyst that uses an iridium oxide surface to dehydrogenate ethane to ethylene at lower temperatures. This process cuts energy and equipment costs required for higher temperature ethane conversion and improves reaction selectivity to increase ethylene yield and reduce CO and CO2 output.

Application

IrO2-based catalyst that promotes low-temperature conversion of ethane to ethylene

Advantages

• Significantly lowers temperature required for ethane to ethylene conversion, decreasing costs associated with high energy requirements and operational equipment maintenance
• Improves conversion selectivity toward ethylene, increasing ethylene production while limiting CO and CO2 emissions
• Produces ethylene just above room temperature, enabling more flexible and accessible experimental conditions
• Catalyzes the conversion of ethane to ethylene directly, achieving high efficiency and selectivity fit for industrial scale ethylene production

Technology

This IrO2(110) surface catalyzes the conversion of ethane into ethylene at low temperatures. The C-H bonds of ethane complexes on the surface of the catalyst undergo activation at temperatures below -73°C. As heating continues from 27°C to 127°C, much of the dissociated ethane dehydrogenates and desorbs as ethylene, while the rest oxidizes into CO and CO2. During this conversion, the partially hydrogenated surface of the IrO2(110) catalyst limits extensive oxidation of the dehydrogenated ethane, thereby suppressing the formation of CO and CO2 by-products and enhancing ethylene yield.