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Kinetics of the catalytic hydrogenolysis of ethane over Ni/SiO/sub 2/

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6417739

A kinetic equation which relates the rate of ethane hydrogenolysis to the degree of hydrogen coverage was developed from data obtained with < 10 mm Hg ethane and 80-660 mm Hg hydrogen in helium at 271/sup 0/-550/sup 0/K on silica-supported 23% nickel. The partial reaction order of ethane changed from unity to 1.6 as the pressure of ethane increased above approx. 10 mm Hg. The results were consistent with a mechanism in which the rate-limiting step is the irreversible, dissociative adsorption of ethane on an ensemble of at least 12 adjacent nickel atoms, free of adsorbed hydrogen, in a 2(3NiC) + 6(NiH) configuration and in which the irreversible ethane adsorption competes with the reversible adsorption of hydorgen. This mechanism is also consistent with literature data on the diluent effect of copper in the catalyst.

Research Organization:
C.N.R.S., Inst. Rech. Catal., Villeurbanne
OSTI ID:
6417739
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 60:3; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English