The Decomposition of Butyl Acetates over Charcoal Catalyst

Abstract

<p> This thesis presents an experimental study of the decomposition of the four isomers of butyl acetate over charcoal catalyst in a fixed bed reactor. The research attempts to determine the kinetics and mechanism of butyl acetate decomposition over a high surface area, non-selective catalyst, and to compare the catalyzed reactions of butyl acetates with their gas-phase reactions. When interpreting the experimental kinetic data it is hypothesized that each of the butyl acetates follows the same mechanism when reacting on charcoal. The best theoretical equation for expressing the rate of butyl acetate reaction was selected from the Langmuir-Hinshelwood equations.</p>