Selective hydrogenation of mixed C4 containing high vinyl acetylene by Mn-Pd, Ni-Pd and Ag-Pd on Al2O3 catalysts

•We synthesized Pd on alumina catalyst which can achieve hydrogenation of vinyl acetylene C4 sampling from a commercialized process.•The addition of other metals on to Pd/Al2O3 improves catalytic performances especially Mn addition.•TPR profile showed the interaction between Pd and added metals.

The waste stream containing high vinyl acetylene concentration from a commercial mixed C4 process was tested for the hydrogenation reaction by Pd, Mn-Pd, Ni-Pd, and Ag-Pd supported on alumina catalysts in a recirculating reactor. Mn-promoted Pd/Al2O3 catalyst with Pd/Mn molar ratio 1:2 not only increases the activity, but also significantly increases the selectivity and yield toward 1,3-butadiene. Adding Ni to Pd/Al2O3 catalysts improves only the activity, but not the selectivity, while adding Ag improves neither the activity nor the selectivity toward 1,3-butadiene.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (114 K)Download as PowerPoint slide