Unsteady-State Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene to Form Styrene

Industrial processes for the production of styrene are based essentially on the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. First implemented industrially as early as in the thirties, the dehydrogenation processes – despite tremendous progress – still have shortcomings (conversion rates of ethylbenzene, selectivities for styrene). Through unsteady-state oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene these disadvantages are avoided. Experimental results confirm that highly selective dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene is achievable with almost total conversion. A simulation shows that this process can be implemented in tubular reactors heated by salt bath.