# Ethanol Reactions over FeMoO Using Low O2/Ethanol Molar Ratio: Reaction Network and Kinetics

## TL;DR

This study explores ethanol conversion using an iron–molybdenum oxide catalyst under low oxygen conditions to understand reaction pathways and kinetics for producing acetaldehyde.

## Contribution

The paper presents a detailed reaction network and kinetic model for ethanol conversion over FeMoO under low O2/EtOH ratios.

## Key findings

- The β-FeMoO4 phase formed, increasing specific area, pore volume, and pellet dimensions.
- Dehydrogenation, dehydration, and ethylene hydrogenation were identified as dominant reaction pathways.
- Low selectivity for acetaldehyde suggests an oxygen-distributed fed reactor is not viable under these conditions.

## Abstract

The search for sustainable paths for the valorization
of ethanol
to produce other substances, such as acetaldehyde, is an object of
study in heterogeneous catalysis. This research investigates the conversion
of ethanol using an iron–molybdenum oxide catalyst with low
O2/EtOH molar ratios (0.0 and 0.05) in a Berty internal
recycling reactor to clarify the dominant pathways and associated
kinetics at an ethanol partial pressure above the flammability limit
and to reveal the significant presence of dehydrogenation, dehydration
reactions, and hydrogenation of ethylene to ethane. The catalyst characterization
revealed the formation of the β-FeMoO4 phase, accompanied by
an increase in specific area, pore volume, and pellet dimensions.
The reaction network was also explored, and a kinetic model was developed
and fit to experimental data, in order to estimate the kinetic parameters
(kinetic constants and energies of activation) for the proposed reactions.
Considering the low selectivity achieved for acetaldehyde with this
catalyst under the studied conditions, it was concluded that it is
not possible to apply an oxygen-distributed fed reactor. However,
the experimental part, combined with the kinetic modeling, can contribute
to further investigations on experimental conditions to enhance acetaldehyde
production.