Hexadecane Conversion on an Alumina–Nickel Catalyst

The conversion of hexadecane on a 4% Ni/Al 2 O 3 catalyst in a temperature range of 20–300°C was studied using IR spectroscopy and catalytic methods. It was found that the dehydrogenation of hexadecane occurred at 20–100°C with the subsequent formation of aromatic products, but the rates of these processes were very low. As the reaction temperature was increased to 200°C, the 4% Ni/Al 2 O 3 catalyst exhibited a maximum activity and high selectivity for the formation of 1-hexadecene, and aromatic compounds and cracking products were present in the reaction products. As the reaction temperature was further increased, the catalytic activity significantly decreased. This was due to the fact that polyaromatic deposits gradually accumulated on the catalyst surface in a temperature range of 200–300°C.