Synthesis of Butenes through Butanol Dehydration over Catalyst Prepared from Water Treatment Sludge

− The objective of this study is to evaluate the catalytic potential of the porous material prepared from water treatment sludge. The textural properties of the catalyst were studied using N 2 adsorption and desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction. The pellet-type catalyst prepared using water treatment sludge is determined to be a material that contains mesopores as well as micropores. The specific surface area of the catalyst is 157 m/g. Acidic characteristics of the catalyst are analyzed by temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia and infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine. 2-Butanol dehydration reaction was carried out in a fixed bed catalytic reactor. Yields of 1-butene, trans-2-butene, and cis-2-butene at 350 C were 25.6 wt%, 19.2 wt%, and 29.9 wt%, respectively. This catalytic activity of the catalyst based on water treatment sludge in 2-butanol dehydration is due to the acid sites composed of Bronsted acid sites and Lewis acid sites. It was confirmed that the catalyst based on water treatment sludge can be utilized to produce C 4 olefin through butanol dehydration.