Process for producing alkenes from oxygenates by using supported partially neutralised heteropolyacid catalysts

Abstract

A process for the vapour phase chemical dehydration of ethanol in a reactor in the presence of a supported heteropolyacid catalyst, said process comprising a step of contacting the ethanol with the heteropolyacid catalyst, wherein the heteropolyacid catalyst comprises a partially neutralised silicotungstic acid salt, wherein the partially neutralised silicotungstic acid salt has from 30% to 70% of the hydrogen atoms replaced with cations selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, transition metal cations, ammonium cations, and mixtures thereof; but with the proviso that the alkali metal cation is not lithium; and wherein, after attaining steady-state performance of the catalyst, said process is operated continuously with the same supported heteropolyacid catalyst for at least 150 hours, without any regeneration of the catalyst.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.