Oxidative dehydrogenation of butane to butene and butadiene using inert membrane reactor

V-Mg-O catalyst was prepared by impregnation method. The catalyst was characterized by XRD and BET techniques. The oxidative dehydrogenation of butane to butene and butadiene was studied by using conventional fixed-bed reactor (FBR), inert membrane reactor (IMR) and mixed inert membrane reactor (MIMR). An inert ceramic membrane was modified by partially coating with glaze for suitable gas permeability. The membrane tube was used to distribute oxygen. In this case, the oxygen partial pressure in the catalyst bed could be decreased and the selectivity for C⁼₄ products (butene plus butadiene) increased. 20MIMR, where 20% of air entered in from tube side, gave selectivity and yield for C⁼₄ products up to 66% and 33% , respectively.