The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODP) proceeds catalytically on a gas-solid interface (heterogeneous reaction) and/or in the gas phase (homogeneous reaction) via a radical chain process. ODP may therefore combine interrelated contributions from the heterogeneous dehydrogenation and gasphase reactions, which can be initiated by a catalyst. This study demonstrates that relatively high propene and ethene selectivities (ca. 80 % and 10 %) and propane conversions (viz., 10 % at 500 °C) can be achieved with an empty quartz reactor, which is comparable to the performances of state-of-the-art ODP catalysts (boron-based or supported VO x ). Optimization of the post-catalytic volume of a h-BN catalyst bed tested at 490 °C allows to increase the conversion of propane from 9 % to 15 % at a propene selectivity of 77 %, highlighting this parameter as an important variable for improving catalytic ODP performances.
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