Title

Synthesis of Supported Gold on Titania Catalysts and Modification with Non-Thermal Plasma for Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene in Large Excess of Ethylene

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemistry

Date of Award

Fall 2013

Abstract

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene is an industrial process to remove traces of acetylene in ethylene stream for polyethylene production. Titania supported gold catalysts are prepared by impregnation (IM), double impregnation (DIM), deposition-precipitation (DP) methods. 5% Au/TiO2, 1% Au/TiO2, and 5% Au/TiO2 are prepared by IM, DIM, DP respectively and tested for selective hydrogenation of acetylene in presence of large excess of ethylene. The activity of supported gold catalysts depends on method of preparation. Catalysts prepared by DP method have shown higher acetylene conversion, selectivity and yield when compared to catalysts prepared by IM and DIM. However, DP method involves controlling of various variable parameters during the preparation, such as pH. Hence with a view to minimize the difficulty, alternate modifications of IM, and DIM catalysts are performed to increase the activity. Non- thermal RF plasma is an effective way to modify and enhance the activity of the catalysts. Catalysts prepared IM, DIM, and DP has shown increase in activity towards when treated with H2 plasma. Volumetric CO chemisorption measurements are performed on gold catalysts at different pretreatment conditions which are prepared by DIM and DP methods. The results of CO chemisorption of the catalysts are in complying with the activity of the catalysts.

Advisor

Ben Jang

Subject Categories

Chemistry | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

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