New method for refining iron oxide, e.g. used in catalysts for the dehydration of ethylbenzene to styrene, comprises high temperature calcination

摘要

A method for refining iron oxide that comprises calcining the iron oxide at 700-1200 deg C, is new. Independent claims are included for: (a) iron oxide obtained by the process, containing less than 400 ppm residual chloride; (b) a catalyst prepared using iron oxide refined by calcination; and (c) the dehydration of ethylbenzene to styrene at 450-700 deg C and 0.1-5 bar, using a catalyst as in prepared in (b).