The catalytic incineration of styrene over an Mn2O3/Fe2O3 catalyst

In this study, styrene monomer (SM) was treated by a commercial catalyst, Mn2O3/Fe2O3, in a fixed-bed reactor. The study can be classified into two major parts. First, the effects of operating factors, such as temperature, SM concentration, space velocity, and O2 concentration, on the performance of the catalyst were investigated. Second, two catalyst life tests were carried out to characterize the deactivation effect of SM. The results show that the catalyst results in higher conversion of SM at a higher inlet temperature and higher O2 concentrations. The conversion of SM decreases with increasing SM concentration and space velocity. From the statistical analysis of the data, we find that temperature is the most important factor on the catalytic incineration. Oxygen concentration, SM concentration, and space velocity are significant parameters as well. This paper also provides information on the deactivation effect of SM. The catalysts were characterized by surface and pore-size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) before and after the tests. The results show that the catalytic deactivation may be caused by carbon coating, and the pore size and surface area of the catalyst are smaller after deactivation.