PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF OLEFINS USING A MOLYBDENUM OXICARBIDE DEHYDROGENATION CATALYST

摘要

A process for the production of light olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, butylene and/or amylene is described. The process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feed comprising, for instance, a gasoline or naphta fraction containing alkanes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule at an elevated temperature with a molybdenum oxicarbide catalyst. The process may be carried out in the presence of water vapour or free oxygen in order to stabilize the oxicarbide phase. The catalyst is preferably supported on silicon carbide optionally doped with at least one lanthanide, actinide, rare earth metal, or a mixture thereof.