Catalyst decay in the kinetics of methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation over Pt‐NaY zeolite

The kinetics of the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane to toluene over platinum on NaY zeolite have been studied at 390°C and atmospheric pressure. Cumulative conversion data obtained at constant space velocity and various reaction times on stream was treated using the “Time on Stream” theory. In this way the rate constants for both dehydrogenation and catalyst decay have been determined. The reaction has been shown to occur via a series of consecutive partial dehydrogenations, with the first dehydrogenation as the rate controlling step. The influence of the partially dehydrogenated products as well as the influence of the toluene, on the deactivation of the catalyst is discussed.