Conversion of biological substrates to fuel components in the presence of industrial catalysts

Conditions were found under which the industrial aluminum-platinum catalyst AP-64 and the pilot zeolite system Pd-Zn/Al₂O₃/MFI (MFI is a high-silica ZSM-5 type zeolite) catalyze single-stage highly selective conversion of rapeseed oil and ethanol to either alkane or alkanearomatic fraction of hydrocarbons suitable as engine fuel components. The hydrocarbon chain grows with participation of ethylene, which is formed in the argon medium directly from the ethanol molecule. Under these conditions, hydrogenation of this alkene on intermetallic clusters arising during the long-term reductive preactivation is suppressed. The alcohol supplies not only ethylene but also hydrogen. In the presence of Pd-Zn/Al₂O₃/MFI, ethanol is converted to alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons according to independent pathways. Joint processing of alcohols and rapeseed oil in the presence of the Pd-Zn/Al₂O₃/MFI catalyst system is an efficient and promising route to C₃-C₁₁ hydrocarbons in the absence of an external source of hydrogen.     

Formation of Co-Ru/MgO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: A magnetic method for the estimation of cobalt particle size

The physicochemical properties of Co-supported catalysts were studied, and the particle size of Co in Co/MgO/Al₂O₃ and Co-0.2% Ru/MgO/Al₂O₃ catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was estimated using a magnetic method. It was found that a considerable fraction of superparamagnetic Co particles, which increase selectivity for C₅₊ hydrocarbons and decrease the yield of methane in the FTS, was present in a ruthenium-containing catalyst along with single-domain ferromagnetic particles. In this case, the catalyst activity increased by a factor of 10.     

Conversion of ethanol into linear primary alcohols on gold,nickel, and gold–nickel catalysts

The direct conversion of ethanol into the linear primary alcohols C _n H_2n+1OH (n = 4, 6, and 8) in the presence of the original mono- and bimetallic catalysts Au/Al₂O₃, Ni/Al₂O₃, and Au–Ni/Al₂O₃ was studied. It was established that the rate and selectivity of the reaction performed under the conditions of a supercritical state of ethanol sharply increased in the presence of Au–Ni/Al₂O₃. The yield of target products on the bimetallic catalyst was higher by a factor of 2–3 than that reached on the monometallic analogs. Differences in the catalytic behaviors of the Au, Ni, and Au–Ni systems were discussed with consideration for their structure peculiarities and reaction mechanisms.     

Hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons in a mixture with thiophene on sulfided Pd/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

The activity and stability of aluminum-palladium catalysts in the hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons mixed with thiophene were studied. The catalysts were obtained by impregnation of γ-A₂O₃ with aqueous solutions of salts of palladium complexes. Preliminary sulfiding followed by oxidative activation of Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts were found to favor the formation of such palladium state on the surface at which the hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of sulfur-containing impurities proceeds without a noticeable change in the activity with time. IR spectroscopy showed that the palladium metal surface fragments forming CO complexes with a characteristic absorption band at 1998 cm^–1 are resistant to poisoning with sulfur-containing compounds in the hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Gold catalysts supported on ZnO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for low-temperature CO oxidation

Gold catalysts with loadings ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 wt% on a ZnO/Al₂O₃ support were prepared by the deposition–precipitation method (Au/ZnO/Al₂O₃) with ammonium bicarbonate as the precipitation agent and were evaluated for performance in CO oxidation. These catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma-atom emission spectrometry, temperature programmed reduction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activity for CO oxidation was measured using a flow reactor under atmospheric pressure. Catalytic activity was found to be strongly dependent on the reduction property of oxygen adsorbed on the gold surface, which related to gold particle size. Higher catalytic activity was found when the gold particles had an average diameter of 3–5 nm; in this range, gold catalysts were more active than the Pt/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst in CO oxidation. Au/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst with small amount of ZnO is more active than Au/Al₂O₃ catalyst due to higher dispersion of gold particles.     

Deactivation behaviors of hybrid Fischer–Tropsch catalysts in the production of middle distillate from synthesis gas in a dual-bed reactor

Production of middle distillate (C₁₀–C₂₀) from synthesis gas (CO + H₂) through hydrocracking of wax (>C₂₁₊) was carried out in a dual-bed reactor. Fischer–Tropsch catalyst (Co/TiO₂) was used in the first-bed reactor to produce wax from synthesis gas, and a mesoporous Pd–alumina composite catalyst (Pd–Al₂O₃) was used in the second-bed reactor to produce middle distillate through hydrocracking of wax. Both Fischer–Tropsch synthesis function of Co/TiO₂ catalyst and hydrocracking function of Pd–Al₂O₃ catalyst were deactivated during 100 h-hybrid Fischer–Tropsch synthesis reaction. It was revealed that deactivation behaviors of Co/TiO₂ and Pd–Al₂O₃ catalysts were governed by different factors. Wax accumulation and Co sintering were responsible for deactivation of Co/TiO₂ catalyst in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis reaction. Loss of Pd dispersion and Pd surface area of Pd–Al₂O₃ catalyst was responsible for its decreased catalytic performance in the production of middle distillate through hydrocracking of wax.     

Review of Ag/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Reductant System in the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Ag/Al₂O₃ is a promising catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) by hydrocarbons (HC) of NO _x in both laboratory and diesel engine bench tests. New developments of the HC-SCR of NO _x over a Ag/Al₂O₃ catalyst are reviewed, including the efficiencies and sulfur tolerances of different Ag/Al₂O₃-reductant systems for the SCR of NO _x ; the low-temperature activity improvement of H₂-assisted HC-SCR of NO _x over Ag/Al₂O₃; and the application of a Ag/Al₂O₃-ethanol SCR system with a heavy-duty diesel engine. The discussions are focused on the reaction mechanisms of different Ag/Al₂O₃-reductant systems and H₂-assisted HC-SCR of NO _x over Ag/Al₂O₃. A SO₂-resistant surface structure in situ synthesized on Ag/Al₂O₃ by using ethanol as a reductant is proposed based on the study of the sulfate formation. These results provide new insight into the design of a high-efficiency NO _x reduction system. The diesel engine bench test results showed that a Ag/Al₂O₃-ethanol system is promising for catalytic cleaning of NO _x in diesel exhaust.     

Preparation of Pd/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>@silicalite-1 core-shell beads and their application to hydrogenation reactions

Core-shell composite beads comprising a Pd-loaded Al₂O₃ core and a shell of inter-grown silicalite-1 (siliceous ZSM-5) crystals were synthesised. The incompatibility between the Pd/Al₂O₃ core and the zeolite shell was circumvented by a layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolyte to adsorb nanosized silicalite-1 seeds onto the core surface, followed by a secondary solvo-thermal treatment to form the continuous and well-intergrown silicalite-1 shell. The thickness of the outer zeolite shell could be tuned by monitoring the secondary growth time. When employed as catalyst for the hydrogenation reaction of alkenes to explore its full potential use, the Pd/Al₂O₃@silicalite-1 core-shell catalyst exhibited excellent size-selectivity, poison-resistance and leaching-proof properties. Such a catalyst@zeolite core-shell structure is expected to find promising applications in heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption.     

Study of the Influence Exerted by Zinc Additive on the Structure and Catalytic Properties of Pd/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts for Liquid-Phase Hydrogenation of Acetylene

Effect of the phase composition of aluminum oxide [γ- and (δ + θ) phase] and introduction of zinc additives on the catalytic properties of 0.5% Pd/Al₂O₃ systems in the reaction of liquid-phase hydrogenation of acetylene into ethylene under an elevated pressure in a flow-through mode was studied. An increase in the activity of the Pd catalyst upon modification with zinc is only observed in the case of a system supported by the mixed phase of (δ + θ) aluminum oxide. XAFS spectroscopy was used to find that the increase in the activity and selectivity with respect to ethylene (in the presence of carbon monoxide) on the (0.5% Pd–0.62% Zn)/(δ + θ)-Al2O3 catalyst is correlated with the formation of the PdZn intermetallic compound.     

Co-Mo/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Ni-W/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts: Potential and prospects for use in hydrotreating of light cycle oil from catalytic cracking

Со-Мо/Al₂O₃ and Ni-W/Al₂O₃ catalysts were tested in hydrotreating of light cycle oil from catalytic cracking, of the straight-run gasoil, and of their mixture under typical hydrotreating conditions used in industry. The catalysts prepared using PMo₁₂ and PW₁₂ heteropoly acids exhibit high catalytic activity. The Со-Мо/Al₂O₃ catalyst is more active in hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation of olefin and diene hydrocarbons, whereas the Ni-W/Al₂O₃ catalysts are more active in hydrogenation of mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Comparison of the quality characteristics of the hydrogenizates obtained with the requirements of the technical regulations shows that the required levels of the sulfur content and cetane number of the hydrogenizates at practically accessible process parameters can be reached for mixtures of the straight-run gasoil and light cycle oil from catalytic cracking with high content of the latter component only when the process with the Со-Мо/Al₂O₃ system and Ni-W/Al₂O₃ catalysts is performed in two steps.     

Conversion of ethanol into hydrocarbon components of fuels in the presence of Pd-Zn-containing catalysts

The features of ethanol conversion into hydrocarbons C₄-C₁₂ in the presence of the novel catalyst Pd-Zn/γ-alumina and pilot zeolite system Pd-Zn/MFI/γ-alumina were studied (MFI is high-siliceous zeolite with ZSM-5 type structure). The structure of active sites changes noticeably in the course of preliminary activation and catalytic reaction. High selectivity and stability of the zeolite-containing Pd-Zn catalyst in alcohol conversion into hydrocarbon components of fuels is related to the stable composition of the alloy that forms clusters PdZn. At the same time, the alumina-based catalyst loses stability due to zinc diffusion from the alloy into γ-Al₂O₃ to form the spinel structure.     

The Microstructure of Cobalt Silica Gel Catalyst in the Presence of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Additive

The physico-chemical characteristics and microstructure of cobalt silica gel catalysts with an Al₂O₃ additive (up to 10%) for the synthesis of hydrocarbons by the Fischer–Tropsch method are studied using a set of methods including X-ray diffraction, BET, IR spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction of H₂, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Phases with a spinel structure, Со₃О₄, CoAl₂O₄, and solid solutions on their basis are identified in the samples. The addition of Al₂O₃ changes the degree of heterogeneity and the orientation of the cobalt crystallites in the oxide and reduced forms of the catalysts. Addition of 1% Al₂O₃ stabilizes Со₃О₄ in the spinel form with a structure close to the normal one and promotes the formation of cobalt with a unimodal distribution of particles with an average size of 8 nm. The catalyst is characterized by maximum activity and selectivity with respect to C⁵⁺ carbons.     

Nonoxidative conversion of methane and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-pentane over a platinum/alumina catalyst

Methane adsorption on the Pt–H/Al₂O₃ and Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts begins at Т = 475°C and is accompanied by the appearance of hydrogen in the reaction medium. At a higher temperature is raised to 550°C, the amount of adsorbed hydrogen increases to 1.1 and 0.8 mol/(mol Pt), respectively. According to the calculated degree of methane dehydrogenation on platinum sites at Т = 550°C, the Н/C ratio is 1.3 (at/at) for the Pt–H/Al₂O₃ catalyst and 1.5 (at/at) for the Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The introduction of n-pentane into the reaction medium increases the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and toluene) by a factor of 8.8 over the arene yield observed in individual n-pentane conversion. A mass spectrometric analysis of the arenes obtained with the Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst has demonstrated that 37.5% of the adsorbed methane is involved in the methane–n-pentane coaromatization yielding benzene and toluene.     

Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene and Physicochemical Properties of Pd–Fe/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Bimetallic Catalysts

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene on Pd–Fe/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by decomposition of ferrocene on reduced Pd/Al₂O₃ was studied. The effect of the conditions of treatment of the Pd–ferrocene/ Al₂O₃ precursor on the catalyst activity and selectivity was investigated, and the optimum conditions were determined at which the Pd–Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst has higher selectivity than Pd/Al₂O₃ without any loss of activity.     

Preparation of highly active and reusable heterogeneous Al2O3–Pd catalysts by the sol–gel method using bayberry tannin as stabilizer

A novel heterogeneous Al₂O₃–Pd catalyst has been prepared by the sol–gel method; bayberry tannin (BT) was used as stabilizer to prevent the migration and aggregation of Pd species during calcination. According to N₂ adsorption/desorption determination, Al₂O₃–Pd has a mesoporous structure and its specific area is as high as 336.5 m²/g. Transmission electron microscopy observation indicated that the size of the Pd particles was greatly reduced by the presence of BT. On the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectra analysis, it was found that the most of Pd nanoparticles were dispersed in the pores, implying that BT can prevent migration of Pd particles from the pores to the outer surface of Al₂O₃ during calcination. For comparison, Al₂O₃–Pd^* was prepared by the sol–gel method but without use of BT. In the hydrogenation of acrylic acid, Al₂O₃–Pd had high catalytic activity and excellent reusability compared with commercial and traditionally prepared heterogeneous Pd catalysts. The turnover number of Al₂O₃–Pd is as high as 11,328.0 mol/mol after recycling seven times, which is much higher than that of a commercial Pd–C catalyst (8048.0 mol/mol).     

Effect of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the properties of the Pd/Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/cordierite catalyst in the conversion of CO,NO, and hydrocarbons

The effect of CeO₂ on the properties of the Pd/Co₃O₄-CeO₂/cordierite catalyst is a function of the method of its preparation. The catalyst obtained by the simultaneous deposition of cerium oxide and cobalt oxide showed high activity in the oxidation of CO (CO + O₂, CO + NO) and extensive oxidation of hexane (C₆H₁₄ + O₂). This behavior is due to the increased mobility of surface oxygen and increased dispersion of the catalyst components.     

Pd/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for the selective liquid-phase hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene

The structure of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ supports and Pd/Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalysts and the performance of these catalysts in liquid-phase acetylene hydrogenation have been investigated. The deposition of Ga(NO₃)₃ onto Al₂O₃ by impregnation followed by calcination of the impregnated support at 600°C yields γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solutions containing up to 50 wt % Ga₂O₃. X-ray diffraction characterization of model palladium catalysts and their temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen have demonstrated that, while palladium in Pd/Ga₂O₃ is in the form of a Pd₂Ga alloy, in the Pd/γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalyst there is no direct interaction between PdО and Ga₂O₃ particles and palladium is in the monometallic state. The introduction of 10–20 wt % gallium oxide into Al₂O₃ lowers the activity of the supported palladium catalyst relative to that of the initial Pd/Al₂O₃ but increases the ethylene yield by enhancing the ethylene formation selectivity.     

Oxidative conversion of methane and methanol on M/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/cordierite structured metal oxide catalysts (m = Ni,Cu, Zn)

A study was carried out on the properties of Ni/Al₂O₃ and Cu-ZnO/Al₂O₃ composites supported on ceramic honeycomb monoliths made from synthetic cordierite in the carbon dioxide conversion of methane and the partial oxidation of methanol. The structured nickel-alumina catalysts are significantly more efficient than the conventional granulated catalysts. The improved working stability of these catalysts was achieved by adjusting the acid-base properties of the surface by introducing sodium and potassium oxides, which leads to inhibition of surface carbonization. The hydrogen yield was close to 90% in the partial oxidation of methanol with a stoichiometric reagent ratio in the presence of the Cu-ZnO/Al₂O₃/cordierite catalyst. A synergistic effect was found, reducing the selectivity of CO formation in the presence of the Cu-ZnO catalyst relative to samples derived from the individual components Cu and ZnO. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 299–306, September–October, 2007.     

The catalytic performance of different promoted iron catalysts on combined supports Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for carbon dioxide hydrogenation

Global warming, fossil fuel depletion and fuel price increases have motivated scientists to search for methods for the storage and reduction of the amount of greenhouse gases, especially CO₂. The hydrogenation process has been introduced as an emerging method of CO₂ capture and convertion into value-added products. In this study, new types of catalysts are introduced for CO₂ hydrogenation and are compared based on catalytic activity and product selectivity. The physical properties of the samples are specified using BET. Iron catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃ with different metal promoters (X = Ni, K, Mn, Cu) are prepared through the impregnation method. Moreover, Fe–Ni catalysts supported on HZSM5-Al₂O₃ and Ce–Al₂O₃ are synthesized. Samples are reduced by pure H₂ and involved in hydrogenation reaction in a fixed bed reactor (H₂/CO₂ = 3, total pressure = 10 MPa, temperature = 523 K, GHSV = 2000, 1250 nml/min). All catalysts provide high conversion in hydrogenation reactions and the results illustrate that the selectivity of light hydrocarbons is higher than that of methane and CO. It is found that Ni has a promoting effect on the conversion fluctuations throughout the reaction with 66.13% conversion. Using combined supported catalysts leads to enhancing catalytic performance. When Fe–Ni/γ–Al₂O₃—HZSM5 is utilized, CO₂ conversion is 81.66% and the stability of the Fe–Ni catalyst supported on Al₂O₃ and Ce–Al₂O₃ furthey improves.     

Trimetallic NiMoW/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> hydrotreating catalyst based on H<Subscript>4</Subscript>SiMo<Subscript>3</Subscript>W<Subscript>9</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript> mixed heteropoly acid

Trimetallic NiMoW/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared using mixed H₄SiMo₃W₉O₄₀ heteropoly acid of Keggin structure and nickel citrate. Bimetallic NiMo/Al₂O₃ and NiW/Al₂O₃ catalysts based on H₄SiMo₁₂O₄₀ and H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀, respectively, were synthesized as reference samples. The use of mixed H₄SiMo₃W₉O₄₀ heteropoly acid as an oxide precursor allows the tungsten sulfidation degree and the degree of promotion of active phase particles to be increased. The hydrodesulfurization activity is enhanced as compared to NiW/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The synergistic enhancement of the activity of the NiMo₃W₉/Al₂O₃ catalyst relative to the bimetallic analogs is probably caused by formation of new mixed promoted active sites for direct desulfurization.