Performance of the ρ-Al2O3 based Ag promoted Pd/Al2O3 catalyst during Acetylene hydrogenation with an ideal feed

Catalytic hydrogenation of acetylene was studied with an ideal feed with a catalyst prepared from different alumina support and with varying quantities of promoter addition. Silver promoted palladium alumina catalysts were prepared on the transition alumina, rho-alumina and the catalyst performance was compared with the traditional palladium alumina catalyst based on alpha-alumina. The catalyst supports were prepared using the granulation technique and sequential impregnation method was used for the catalyst preparation. The silver metal loading was varied in the catalysts and the impact of varied promoter quantity was also studied. The supports were characterized for the acidity, alumina phase, and catalyst characterization was done using TEM, TPR, and BET method to understand the difference between catalysts prepared on different types of alumina support. A fixed bed catalyst reaction was used for the performance evaluation and an ideal gas with acetylene and nitrogen was used as the feed. The catalyst evaluation gives the comparative performance of the catalysts at different temperature conditions. Acetylene conversion and ethylene selectivity in the product were evaluated. The spent catalyst analysis was done using TGA and CHN analysis was performed to understand the carbon deposition and by-product formation during the reaction with different types of catalysts.