Modeling of n-decane dehydrogenation using Box-Wilson experimental design

Linear alkyl benzene (LAB) is manufactured by catalytic dehydrogenation of C-10-C-13 n-paraffins, followed by alkylation with benzene. High product selectivity, and reasonable catalyst life, in the dehydrogenation reaction, are obtained at the expense of conversion, by adjusting reaction parameters. Proper choice of reaction parameters is thus of paramount importance in this reaction. The present study, was carried out with n-decane, as model feed, and a promoted Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. A composite Box-Wilson experimental design was adopted to develop an empirical model for predicting monoene yield as a function of reaction conditions. Further, the model was used for determination of optimum reaction parameters.