Catalytic Direct Conversion of Ethane to Value-added Chemicals Under Microwave Irradiation

Abstract The reaction mechanism of ethane conversion over 4% Mo-0.5% Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst was investigated using two different reactors with different heating modes. A microwave fixed-bed reactor (MWFB) was used and its performance was compared to a conventional thermal fixed-bed reactor (CTFB). Over 80 % ethane conversion was achieved under microwave irradiation mode at 375 °C. To achieve the same ethane conversion conventionally, the reaction temperature had to be elevated to 660 °C in the CTFB. The formation rates and selectivity of the products were compared under these two heating methods. The CTFB products had a higher selectivity towards aromatic compounds; whereas, the MWFB products had a higher selectivity towards ethylene; 26.5% higher than the CTFB. Carbon analysis overspent catalysts of CTFB showed three distinct types of coke, whereas the microwave resulted in a single higher temperature coke type.