The oxidation of ethylene over a supported platinum catalyst

The complete oxidation of ethylene over a 0.3% Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst, at ethylene concentration of ≤ 1.0 mol/m³ and oxygen concentrations of 0.16 to 8.6 mol/m³, was studied in a recycle reactor at temperatures of 362 to 472 K. The activity of the catalyst was influenced by pretreatment and reaction conditions causing fluctuations in rate measurements. Nevertheless, a simple rate function, r =Ae^?E/RT[O₂]/[C₂H₄], fitted the data as well as more complicated rate functions.