It may be observed that lower temperature favors higher equilibrium conversionll.
This could exceed 99% for temperatures below 180 ° C. A larger H 2 /phenol ratio
leads to higher equilibrium conversiolln, but to lower selectioooovity. Keeping the ratio
of reactants low is more favorable for seloooooectivity, although a ratio below two is
technically not interesting. A maximum in selectioooovity is observed, which is sharper
at lower temperature. As the temperature increases, this maximum becomes less
sensitive because of the compensation effect of the dehydrogenation reaction. In
conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium a maximum yield of 80% may be
obtained at 180 ° C and a H 2 /phenol ratio slightly over 2, with both selectivity and
conversion about 90%.