Modifications induced by potassium addition on chromia/alumina catalysts and their influence on the catalytic activity for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane was investigated on K-containing chromia/alumina catalysts, with nominal Cr and K loadings of 10 and 0-2 wt%, respectively. Their chemical composition, structure, texture, nature of surface species, redox features and surface acidity were determined. Catalytic behaviour was investigated in a continuous-flow micro-reactor under different conditions. Besides the nature and concentration of the chromium species, potassium addition was found to affect the reducibility of the catalysts as well as their acid surface features. Such modifications were found to condition the catalytic behaviour, which appeared somewhat peculiar in comparison with that of the catalytic systems reported in literature.