Creation of a continuous process for bio-ethanol to butadiene conversion via the use of a process initiator

•Bio-ethanol feedstock for butadiene production•The use of a process initiator to achieve a continuous process•Catalyst synthesis method comparism

One of the major constraints to the efficiency of Lebedev's process for butadiene production is the deposition of soot on the active sites of the catalyst which results to the reduction of catalyst activity and the periodic regeneration of catalyst thereby increasing time and energy spent on the process and subsequently, cost. The use of a process initiator has been found to be a possible solution to the above mentioned challenges. A synergetic effect was observed during the initiation of the catalytic process. Furthermore, the interdependence between the efficiency of the process initiator and the morphology of Al2O3, linear velocity of the feed stream and other process parameters was observed.