The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

Trevor A Lomas

Mark J Howard

Josephus J Font Freide

Joseph J Font Freide

Process for the production of a mono-olefin from a gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbon having at least two carbon atoms or a mixture thereof. The process includes the step of partially combusting, in contact with a combustion catalyst, the gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbon or a mixture of the gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbons and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in a composition of from 5 to 9 times the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen for complete combustion of carbon dioxide and water. In the process, the mixture is partially combusted at a temperature in the range of 500.degree. to 1200.degree. C. and at a gas hourly space velocity of at least 80,000 hr.sup.-1.

Process for the production of mono-olefins

A process for preparing mono-olefins by catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of e.g. ethane, propane or butanes is provided. The process employs a catalyst which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability. Preferred catalysts are platinum group metals supported on a monolith e.g. platinum.

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Langley, United Kingdom

Trevor A Lomas