UTILIZATION OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUID SOLVENT-EFFECTS IN HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS

Comparative studies on fixed-bed catalytic isomerization of 1-hexene and disproportionation of 1,4-diisopropylbenzene were performed under liquid, gaseous or supercritical conditions. The kinetic measurements show that by variation of pressure in the different fluid states catalytic surface reactions as well as mass transfer effects between catalyst and fluid phase and/or transport processes inside porous catalysts can be influenced in a very sensitive way. Conclusions are drawn in view of new possibilities for the direction of yield and selectivity of multiple reactions, for the prolongation of catalyst lifetime, and the study of deactivation mechanisms on heterogeneous catalysts.