Generalized dehydration models for n-aliphatic monohydric alcohols

Abstract

The kinetics of dehydration of n-aliphatic monohydric alcohols (viz. ethyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl and n-octyl) has been studied over Indian bauxite as catalyst in the temperature range 300-375°C. Modified Hougen-Watson models for all the four reactions occurring have been proposed, and the rate and adsorption constants have been estimated by the method of linear least squares, and confirmed by nonlinear analysis. Generalized correlations for predicting the rate constants on the basis of change in the entropy of activation have been developed. Similarly, correlations have also been developed for each of the adsorption constants as a function of the binding energy of the alcohol molecule involved.