PETROLEUM PROCESSING AND PETROCHEMICALS ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (1): 119-129.

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RESEARCH PROGRESS IN OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OF PROPANE TO PROPYLENE

  


  • Received:2025-07-28 Revised:2025-09-22 Online:2026-01-12 Published:2025-12-23

Abstract: Propane dehydrogenation is a key industrial process for propane utilization and propylene production, including direct dehydrogenation of propane (DHP) and oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP). Although DHP has been industrialized, it still faces issues such as thermodynamic equilibrium limitations, high energy consumption, and coke deposition on catalyst. ODHP, by contrast, can break through thermodynamic limitations and enable higher single-pass propane conversion, demonstrating good application prospects. Herein, the recent progress in two types of ODHP catalysts was comprehensively reviewed: metal catalysts (vanadium based, Mo/Ni based, cobalt based) and non-metal catalysts (boron based and carbon based).The reaction mechanisms on metal and non-metal catalysts, and the latest achievements in reaction engineering and process optimization were explored, which can made up for the shortcomings of traditional ODHP, such as excessive oxidation leading to low selectivity and yield of propylene. In future, we should focus on three key directions: the development of efficient catalysts, clarification of reaction mechanisms, and optimization of oxidant systems, to promote the industrialization of ODHP technology.

Key words: propane, oxidative dehydrogenation, propylene, catalyst, mechanism