The role of induction heating in catalytic propane dehydrogenation

Electrifying catalytic processes offers a promising route for reducing carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel combustion with efficient, renewable energy-driven heating. Among emerging approaches, induction heating enables volumetric and spatially resolved energy delivery within catalyst beds. This study investigates the impact of induction heating on propane dehydrogenation over Pt/Al 2 O 3 and Pt-Co/Al 2 O 3 compared to conventional furnace heating. At 600 °C, induction heating increased propylene selectivity by up to 20 % and reduced side product formation, with comparable propane conversion. Spent catalyst analysis indicated a moderate reduction in coke accumulation under induction heating consistently in both Pt/Al 2 O 3 and Pt-Co/Al 2 O 3 catalysts. Propylene temperature-programmed desorption revealed a 33 °C lower desorption temperature for Pt/Al 2 O 3 , indicating enhanced desorption and reduced secondary reactions. External magnetic field tests up to 100 mT showed no measurable effect, suggesting that magnetic fields alone do not explain the observed improvements. Fluid dynamics simulations confirmed uniform bed temperatures but revealed localized hotspots at stainless steel contact points, with field intensities reaching 410 mT and heat power up to 11,185 W cm −3 . Transient simulations further demonstrated that small fluctuations in coil current can generate temperature swings up to 22 °C, introducing a dynamic heating component that may enhance surface reactivity. These findings show that induction heating improves PDH performance through a combination of localized and time-dependent thermal effects, rather than through direct magnetic interactions. • IH enhanced propylene selectivity and reduced coke formation. • Propylene desorption improves with induction heating. • IH reduces secondary reactions that form coke and C₁–C₂ side products. • IH boosts activity via localized, dynamic thermal effects, not static magnetic fields.