Catalytic combustion of C3 hydrocarbons and oxygenates over Mn3O4

The catalytic oxidation of the C3 organic compounds: propane, propene, l-propanol, 2-propanol, prop-2-en-1-ol (allyl alcohol), propanal, propanone (acetone) and propenal (acrolein) has been investigated over Mn3O4 in the presence of excess oxygen. Total combustion to CO2 occurs at temperatures > 623 K (673 K for propane). However, the production of pollutant products (such as propene from propane, CO from propene, acetaldehyde from propanols, propanal and propanone, carboxylic acids) persists even at very high volatile organic compounds (VOC) conversions. On the basis of the reaction products, a tentative reaction pathway for propane and propene combustion is proposed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.