Activity and selectivity of a {text{Pd/}}gamma {text{ - Al}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}_{text{3}} catalytic membrane in the partial hydrogenation reactions of acetylene and 1,3-butadiene

A ${text{Pd/}}gamma {text{ - Al}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}_{text{3}}$ membrane supported on a macroporous $alpha {text{ - Al}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}_{text{3}}$ tube was prepared by sol–gel processing and used in the partial hydrogenation of acetylene and 1,3-butadiene. The average pore diameter of the ${text{Pd/}}gamma {text{ - Al}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}_{text{3}}$ membrane was 3.6 nm. The gases were separated by Knudsen diffusion. The activity and selectivity of the ${text{Pd/}}gamma {text{ - Al}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}_{text{3}}$ membrane was compared to that of ${text{Pd/}}gamma {text{ - Al}}_{text{2}} {text{O}}_{text{3}}$ catalysts used in a conventional packed bed reactor. The highest selectivity to the partially hydrogenated products occurred when the reactant was premixed with H₂ and was passed through the membrane wall.