Catalytic hydrocarbon dehydrogenation

A method of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, the method comprising:

• subjecting the hydrocarbons to be dehydrogenated to an operating temperature in a range of from about 500 degrees Celsius (° C.) to about 800° C. within a reactor;
• subjecting the hydrocarbons to be dehydrogenated to an operating pressure in a range of from about 0.01 bar to about 10 bar within the reactor;
• while subjecting the hydrocarbons to the operating temperature and operating pressure within the reactor,
• introducing a diluent gas within the reactor, the diluent gas comprising hydrogen, steam, inert gas, or combinations thereof;
• and
• using a catalyst disposed within the reactor to dehydrogenate the hydrocarbons in the presence of the diluent gas within the reactor, the catalyst comprising:
• a support comprising zirconium oxide and alumina, wherein a concentration of the zirconium oxide in the catalyst is in a range of from 1 weight percent (wt. %) to 20 wt. %;
• from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal disposed on the support;
• from 1 wt. % to 2 wt. % of tin, the tin disposed on the support;
• and
• from 0.1 wt. % to 2 wt. % of a platinum group metal, the platinum group metal disposed on the support.

A method of preparing a catalyst for dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, the method comprising:

• mixing an alumina with an aqueous solution of a first additive to form a first slurry, the first additive comprising a salt or complex comprising zirconium;
• drying the first slurry to form a first solid;
• mixing the first solid with an aqueous solution of a second additive to form a second slurry, the second additive comprising a salt comprising an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal;
• drying the second slurry in the presence of oxygen to form a second solid;
• mixing the second solid with an ethanolic solution of a third additive to form a third slurry, the third additive comprising a salt or complex comprising tin;
• drying the third slurry to form a third solid;
• mixing the third solid with an aqueous solution of a fourth additive to form a fourth slurry, the fourth additive comprising a salt or complex comprising a platinum group metal;
• and
• drying the fourth slurry to form the catalyst having a composition comprising:
• from 1 weight percent (wt. %) to 20 wt. % of zirconia derived from the first additive;
• from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % of the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal derived from the second additive;
• from 1 wt. % to 2 wt. % of the tin derived from the third additive;
• from 0.1 wt. % to 2 wt. % of the platinum group metal derived from the fourth additive;
• and
• a balance of the alumina.