Determination of C/H ratios in coked catalysts using a portable neutron source

In a previous paper, it was shown that a portable neutron source may be employed to measure the coke content of a coked catalyst. In this study, the authors show how the portable neutron source may also be employed to determine the C/H ratio, i.e., n in CHn, in the deposited coke. The present study indicates how values of n may be determined from neutron transmission measurements provided that the coke level in the reactor is known. Experimental verification has been obtained for the catalytic dehydrogenation of butene-1 over a chromia-alumina catalyst, but the method should be applicable to a wide range of catalytic reactions where coke deposition is an important factor