CATALYTIC PYROLYSIS OF NAPHTHA ON CALCIUM ALUMINATE CATALYSTS - EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CARBONATE IMPREGNATION

Steam pyrolysis of naphtha has been studied over potassium carbonate impregnated calcium aluminate (12CaO-7Al2O3) catalysts in a fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 1033-1093 K. The K2CO3 loading on the catalyst was varied from 0 to 8.8 wt %. Incorporation of K2CO3 in the catalyst significantly reduced the coke deposited on the catalyst. Compared to 12CaO-7Al2O3 catalyst, the yield of CO2 was considerably higher whereas the hydrocarbon yields were marginally reduced due to addition of K2CO3. A significant amount of potassium loss from the catalyst occurred during the pyrolysis operation.