Operando UV-Vis spectroscopy of a catalytic solid in a pilot-scale reactor: deactivation of a CrO(x)/Al2O3 propane dehydrogenation catalyst.

A novel operando UV-Vis spectroscopic set-up has been constructed and tested for the investigation of catalyst bodies loaded in a pilot-scale reactor under relevant reaction conditions. Spatiotemporal insight into the formation and burning of coke deposits on an industrial CrO(x)/Al(2)O(3) catalyst during propane dehydrogenation has been obtained.