Dehydrogenation of long chain: N -paraffins to olefins - A perspective

Dehydrogenation of long chain n-paraffins, in the carbon number range C10-C14, is a key step in the process for manufacture of bio-degradable synthetic detergent raw material, Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB). Since its discovery in 1968, the process has undergone several improvements in the architecture of dehydrogenation catalysts towards achieving higher selectivity for mono-olefins formation, increase in LAB yield and quality, raw materials consumption and minimization of by-products, accompanied by several modifications in the process steps. This chapter brings out the salient features of the basic chemistry behind the dehydrogenation process, the catalyst characteristics, process chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetic and mechanistic aspects, traces the developments in the catalysts and process for dehydrogenation and finally, a brief on the emerging process technologies.