Catalytic pyrolysis of HDPE in continuous mode over zeolite catalysts in a conical spouted bed reactor

A study has been carried out using HZSM-5, HY and Hβ zeolite-based catalysts in the pyrolysis of high density polyethylene (HDPE) continuously fed into a conical spouted bed reactor (CSBR) at 500 °C and atmospheric pressure, with the aim being to assess the yields and composition of the main products (both light olefins and automotive fuel hydrocarbons). Product streams have been grouped into seven lumps: light olefins (C₂–C₄) and light alkanes (<C₄) in the gas fraction, the liquid fraction consisting of three lumps (non-aromatic C₅–C₁₁ compounds, single-ring aromatics and C₁₁₊ hydrocarbons), wax and coke. The results are compared with those already obtained in thermal pyrolysis in a CSBR and with those obtained in the literature using catalysts in bubbling fluidized beds. HZSM-5 zeolite-based catalyst is very selective to light olefins, ≈58 wt% once equilibrated; whereas high yields of non-aromatic C₅–C₁₁ products (around 45 wt%) are obtained with Hβ and HY zeolite-based catalysts. Wax yield increases as reactions proceed, especially with HY and Hβ zeolite-based catalysts, due to catalyst deactivation by coke formation. Product distribution with the different catalysts and their evolution throughout continuous operation by feeding HDPE is explained according to the different properties of the zeolites used.     

HY Zeolite Modified by Liquid Silane Deposition and Its Catalytic Activity in Selective tert-Butylation of Naphthalene

HY zeolites were modified by chemical liquid deposition with i-C₄H₉Si(OC₂H₅)₃, followed by hydrothermal treatment. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption and pulse mass analysis to investigate the influence on framework structure, specific surface area, pore diameter and adsorption behaviors. The catalytic performances of HY zeolite and the modified samples in the alkylation of naphthalene with tert-butyl alcohol were also evaluated. The results showed the modification of HY zeolite did not change framework structure but increased specific surface area, decreased average pore diameter, and reduced the size of pore opening. Catalytic activity of the modified HY zeolite catalyst for tert-butylation of naphthalene was decreased compared with that of HY zeolite catalyst while shape-selectivity of 2,6-di-tert-butylnaphthalene (2,6-DTBN) was increased obviously, the highest 2,6-DTBN/2,7-DTBN ratio of 6.62 obtained.     

Selective methane chlorination to methyl chloride by zeolite Y-based catalysts

The CH₄ chlorination over Y zeolites was investigated to produce CH₃Cl in a high yield. Three different catalytic systems based on Y zeolite were tested for enhancement of CH₄ conversion and CH₃Cl selectivity: (i) HY zeolites in H⁺-form having various Si/Al ratios, (ii) Pt/HY zeolites supporting Pt metal nanoparticles, (iii) Pt/NaY zeolites in Na⁺-form supporting Pt metal nanoparticles. The reaction was carried out using the gas mixture of CH₄ and Cl₂ with the respective flow rates of 15 and 10 mL min⁻¹ at 300–350 °C using a fixed-bed reactor under a continuous gas flow condition (gas hourly space velocity = 3000 mL g⁻¹ h⁻¹). Above the reaction temperature of 300 °C, the CH₄ chlorination is spontaneous even in the absence of catalyst, achieving 23.6% of CH₄ conversion with 73.4% of CH₃Cl selectivity. Under sufficient supplement of thermal energy, Cl₂ molecules can be dissociated to two chlorine radicals, which triggered the C-H bond activation of CH₄ molecule and thereby various chlorinated methane products (i.e., CH₃Cl, CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, CCl₄) could be produced. When the catalysts were used under the same reaction condition, enhancement in the CH₄ conversion was observed. The Pt-free HY zeolite series with varied Si/Al ratios gave around 27% of CH₄ conversion, but there was a slight decrease in CH₃Cl selectivity with about 64%. Despite the difference in acidity of HY zeolites having different Si/Al ratios, no prominent effect of the Si/Al ratios on the catalytic performance was observed. This suggests that the catalytic contribution of HY zeolites under the present reaction condition is not strong enough to overcome the spontaneous CH₄ chlorination. When the Pt/HY zeolite catalysts were used, the CH₄ conversion reached further up to 30% but the CH₃Cl selectivity decreased to 60%. Such an enhancement of CH₄ conversion could be attributed to the strong catalytic activity of HY and Pt/HY zeolite catalysts. However, both catalysts induced the radical cleavage of Cl₂ more favorably, which ultimately decreased the CH₃Cl selectivity. Such trade-off relationship between CH₄ conversion and CH₃Cl selectivity can be slightly broken by using Pt/NaY zeolite catalyst that is known to possess Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLP) that are very useful for ionic cleavage of H₂ to H⁺ and H⁻. Similarly, in the present work, Pt/NaY(FLP) catalysts enhanced the CH₄ conversion while keeping the CH₃Cl selectivity as compared to the Pt/HY zeolite catalysts.     

Depolymerization of Organosolv Lignin over Silica-alumina Catalysts

E cient conversion of lignin to fine chemicals and biofuel become more and more attractive in biorefinery. In this work, we used a series of silica-alumina catalysts (i.e., SiO₂-Al₂O₃, HY, Hβ, and HZSM-5) to degrade lignin into arenes and phenols. The relationship between the catalyst structure and lignin depolymerization performance was investigated. The results showed that both acidity and pore size of the catalyst could in uence the conversion of lignin. In the volatilizable product, phenols were identified as the main phenolic monomers via gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. SiO₂-Al₂O₃ was the most effcient catalyst, giving 90.96% degree of conversion, 12.91% yield of phenols, and 2.41% yield of arenes in ethanol at 280℃ for 4 h. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that deoxygenation and alkylation occurred in this process. The effect of solvents was also investigated and the results showed that ethanol was the most effcient solvent.     

Plasma-Catalytic Oxidation of Toluene on MnxOy at Atmospheric Pressure and Room Temperature

Mn_xO_y/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared via the impregnation method and utilized for toluene removal in dielectric barrier discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction, and O₂ temperature-programmed desorption methods. The characterization results indicated that manganese loading did not influence the 2D-hexagonal mesoporous structure of SBA-15. The catalyst had various oxidation states of manganese (Mn²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺), with Mn³⁺ being the dominant oxidation state. Toluene removal was investigated in the environment of pure N₂ and 80 % N₂ + 20 % O₂ plasma, showing that the toluene removal efficiency and CO₂ selectivity were noticeably increased by Mn_xO_y/SBA-15, especially in the presence of 5 % Mn/SBA-15. This activity was closely related to the high dispersion of 5 % Mn on SBA-15 and the lowest reduction temperature exhibited by this catalyst. Mn loading increased the yield of CO₂ in the N₂ plasma and promoted the deep oxidation of toluene. During toluene oxidation, oxygen exchange might follow a pathway, wherein bulk oxygen was released from the Mn_xO_y/SBA-15 surface; gas-phase O₂ subsequently filled up the vacancies created on the oxide. Each of the manganese oxidation states played an important role; Mn₂O₃ was considered as a bridge for oxygen exchange between the gas phase and the catalyst, and Mn₃O₄ mediated transfer of oxygen between the catalyst and toluene.     

富氧条件下乙炔选择催化还原NOx

Acetylene as a reducing agent of metal exchanged HY catalysts, for selective catalytic reduction of NO in the reaction system of 0.16% NO, 0 （C2H2-SCR） was investigated over a series 08% C2H2, and 9.95% O2 （volume percent） in He. 75% of NO conversion to N2 with hydrocarbon efficiency about 1.5 was achieved over a Ce-HY catalyst around 300 ℃. The NO removal level was comparable with that of selective catalytic reduction of NOx by C3H6 reported in literatures, although only one third of the reducing agent in carbon moles was used in the C2H2-SCR of NO. The protons in zeolite were crucial to the C2H2-SCR of NO, and the performance of HY in the reaction was significantly promoted by cerium incorporation into the zeolite. NO2 was proposed to be the intermediate of NO reduction to N2, and the oxidation of NO to NO2 was rate-determining step of the C2H2-SCR of NO over Ce-HY. The suggestion was well supported by the results of the NO oxidation with O2, and the C2H2 consumption under the conditions in the presence or absence of NO.     

Pt/ZrO2:An Efficient Catalyst for Aerobic Oxidation of Toluene in Aqueous Solution

The heterogeneous oxidation of toluene in aqueous medium has been investigated. Artificially contaminated water with aromatic compound (toluene) was exposed to a simple platinized zirconia (1% Pt/ZrO₂) catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen. This selective oxidation of toluene to benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid provides a step for removing toluene from wastewater or converting it into less harmful substances. Different parameters, e.g. the reaction time, temperature, pressure, the amount of catalyst and agitation, etc influenced the toluene conversion and selectivity. Typical batch reactor kinetic data were obtained and fitted to the classical Langmuir‐Hinshelwood model, Mars‐van Krevelen model as well as to the Eley‐Rideal model of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. The Eley‐Rideal model was found to give a better fit. 1% Pt/ZrO₂ was observed to be the most active for oxidation of toluene at 333 K in oxygenated atmosphere [p(O₂) ca. 101 kPa] with a nominal stirring speed ≧900 r/min. It was found that catalytic oxidation may be an effective method for the removal of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions and comparable to other advanced oxidation processes.     

Hydrocracking of Tar Components from Hot Coke Oven Gas over a Ni/Ce-ZrO2/γ-Al2O3 Catalyst at Atmospheric Pressure

Ni/Ce-ZrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with different Ce-ZrO₂ contents and Ni loadings were prepared by a two step impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption, and temperature-programmed reduction. The catalysts were used for the hydrocracking of toluene and naphthalene, which were model tar compounds in hot coke oven gas, under atmospheric pressure at 800 °C. They showed excellent catalytic activity, stability, and some sulfur tolerance. Both toluene and naphthalene was converted into light fuel gases even at a low mole ratio of steam to carbon (S/C = 0.44). During the testing period of 7 h, no coke deposition was observed on the surface of the catalysts. The results indicated that the addition of Ce-ZrO₂ limited the sintering of Ni particles and enhanced the catalytic activity. The Ni/Ce-ZrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst is promising for the direct removal of tar compounds in hot coke oven gas with low S/C ratios.     

Polymerization of 4-phenyl-1-butyne catalyzed by metathesis and Ziegler–Natta catalysts

The polymerization of 4-phenyl-1-butyne was carried out using metathesis and Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Especially, the Fe(acac)₃-AlEt₃ catalyst with toluene as a solvent produced an extremely high molecular weight polymer of M_w ≈ 10⁶. Solubility of the polymers at room temperature in organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform, and THF was excellent despite their high molecular weights. It has been indicated that the polymer prepared by the Fe(acac)₃-AlEt₃ catalyst is of cis form with a high stereoregularity. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Acrylate Esters by Ethenolysis of Maleate Esters with Ru Metathesis Catalysts: an HTE and a Technoeconomic Study

A high throughput experimentation (HTE) study identified active Ru metathesis catalysts and reaction conditions for the ethenolysis of maleate esters to the respective acrylate esters. Catalysts were tested at various loadings (75–10’000 ppm) and temperatures (30–60 °C) with maleate esters dissolved in toluene (up to ca. 44 wt-%) or neat and at variable partial pressures of ethylene (0.2–10 bar). Ruthenium catalysts containing a PCy₃ ligand, such as 1st or 2nd generation Grubbs catalysts, as well as the state-of-the-art catalysts containing cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) ligands, are generally inferior to Hoveyda–Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst in ethenolysis of maleates. Productive turnover numbers could exceed 1900 if the ethenolysis reaction is performed at low ethylene pressure (0.2–3 bar) and reach 5200 when a polymeric phenol additive was used. Such catalytic performance falls well within the window practiced in industry. Moreover, a crude technoeconomic analysis finds similar production cost for the ethenolysis route and conventional technology, that is, propene oxidation followed by esterification, justifying research to further improve the ethenolysis route.     

Decomposition of Toluene in a Plasma Catalysis System with NiO, MnO2, CeO2, Fe2O3, and CuO Catalysts

The performance of NiO, MnO₂, CeO₂, Fe₂O₃, and CuO catalysts on alumina in removing toluene from a gas stream was studied in a plasma catalysis system. The NiO catalyst performed better than the other catalysts, generating more toluene-destroying oxygen species by decomposing ozone. The optimum nickel loading in the NiO/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was approximately 5 wt%, close to the monolayer dispersion threshold of NiO on γ-Al₂O₃. The presence of water vapor had a negative effect on catalytic performance due to its quenching of high speed electrons and its competition with toluene for adsorption sites. Water vapor also reduced the outlet ozone concentration by inhibiting the production of key intermediate in the ozone formation process.     

Production of propene from 1-butene metathesis reaction on tungsten based heterogeneous catalysts

A new propene production route from 1-butene metathesis has been developed on heterogeneous 10WO₃/Al₂O₃-HY catalysts with different HY contents. It is found that the catalysts play bi-functionally first for the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene and then for the cross-metathesis between 1-butene and 2-butene to propene and 2-pentene. The combination of HY zeolite and Al₂O₃ is prerequisite for the production of propene. The propene yield keeps increasing with the HY content in the range of 10–70 wt%, where 10WO₃/Al₂O₃-70HY exhibits the highest propene yield. The MS-H₂-TPR and MS-O₂-TPO characterizations indicate that the increase of HY content in the catalysts weakens the interaction between W species and supports, whereas enhance the probability of coking on the metal species and acid sites.     

Nickel(II) complexes bearing pyrazolylpyridines: synthesis,structures and ethylene oligomerization reactions

Reactions of 2‐bromo‐6‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine ( L1 ) and 2,6‐bis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine ( L2 ) with NiCl₂ and NiBr₂ led to the formation of their respective metal complexes [NiCl₂(L1)] ( 1 ), [NiBr₂(L1)] ( 2 ) and [NiBr₂(L2)] ( 3 ) in moderate to high yields. The complexes were characterized using elemental analyses, mass spectrometry and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction for 2 . The solid‐state structure of 2 confirmed the bidentate coordination mode of L1 and formation of a monometallic compound. Activation of the nickel(II) pre‐catalysts with methylaluminoxane afforded active catalysts in the ethylene oligomerization reaction to produce mainly butenes (84–86%). In contrast, activation of nickel(II) pre‐catalyst 2 with ethylaluminium dichloride resulted in partial Friedel–Crafts alkylation of the toluene solvent by the preformed oligomers. Complex structure, nature of co‐catalyst employed, type of solvent and reaction conditions influenced the catalytic behaviour of these pre‐catalysts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of organic exhausts and the thermal stability of catalysts

The catalytic combustion of various organic compounds has been investigated over noble and non-noble metal catalysts using a fixed bed. It was concluded that the activity order of different organic compounds on a noble metal catalyst, is toluene > 2-butanone > benzene >n-heptane≈isopropyl alcohol > acrylonitrile > cyclohexane. On non-noble metal catalyst, it is isopropyl alcohol > 2-butanone > acrylonitrile > toluene >n-heptane > cyclohexane > benzene. In order to compare the thermal stability of catalysts, the catalytic reaction of toluene has been studied over noble and non-noble metal catalysts which were calcined at various temperatures up to 900°C for 3 h.     

New iminophosphine–Ru(II) complexes and their application in hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation

Ruthenium complexes [RuCl₂L₂] were prepared by treating [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ with structurally similar N‐(2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene)‐3‐methylpyridin‐2‐amine, 4‐(2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzylideneamino)‐3‐methylphenol and 4‐(2‐(2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzylideneamino)ethyl)phenol refluxed in toluene. These complexes were used as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenones in 2‐propanol and for the direct hydrogenation of styrenes under hydrogen pressure. The results of the catalytic studies provide evidence that these complexes function as excellent catalysts for hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controllable construction of Ce-Mn-Ox with tunable oxygen vacancies and active species for toluene catalytic combustion

A series of Ce-Mn-O_x catalysts synthesized under different hydrothermal conditions were evaluated by catalytic removal of toluene. The results of characterization showed that the contents of oxygen vacancies and active species in catalysts were crucial for the catalytic oxidation process. The concentration of Ce³⁺, Mn³⁺, and adsorbed oxygen associated with structural defects in Ce-Mn-O_x catalysts could be controlled by hydrothermal conditions, which were considered to promote redox capacity and improve catalytic oxidation performance. In addition, suitable synthetic conditions could increase the S_BET and V_p of catalysts. Among the prepared catalysts, CM-100 showed the best catalytic performance due to the generation of more defective oxygen and active species (Ce³⁺, Mn³⁺, and surface-adsorbed oxygen). In addition, the CM-100 catalyst showed satisfactory water resistance and stability.     

Hydrogen Production by Catalytic Reforming of Liquid Hydrocarbons

In this review, we are reporting the catalytic reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels carried out in our research group, covering the catalytic reforming of iso-octane and toluene as surrogate of gasoline, gasoline fuel processor system and steam reforming of n-hexadecane and decahydronaphthalene, main constituents of diesel. The commercial ICI reforming catalyst is prone to be poisoned by sulfur contained in iso-octane. We investigated various supported transition metal formulations and developed Ni/Fe/MgO/Al₂O₃ (KIST-5) catalyst with prolonged catalytic stability (>760 h), higher activity and sulfur tolerance ability over commercial ICI and HT catalysts for ATR reaction of iso-octane. We found that the concentration of CO can be reduced to <1,800 ppm by the gasoline fuel processor system charged with KIST-5 reforming catalyst, commercial HTS catalyst and KIST Pt–Ni/CeO₂ LTS catalyst. The addition of Rh metal to spc-Ni/MgAl catalyst as promoter was found to be very effective in inhibiting the deactivation of spc-Ni/MgAl catalyst by sintering of reduced Ni metal at high temperature during steam reforming of n-hexadecane. A 0.3 wt% Rh loading on spc-Ni/MgAl catalyst was optimized to have the best performance for steam reforming of n-hexadecane among the prepared catalysts. The addition of Rh to spc-Ni/MgAl catalyst also restricted the deactivation of the catalyst due to carbon formation at high reaction temperature. In view point of prolonged stability and higher activity, these developed reforming catalysts have a good scope in the reforming process of gasoline and diesel for hydrogen station and fuel processor system applications.     

Optimal process conditions for zeolite catalyzed acylation of anisole

Acylation of anisole is a commercially important reaction in the production of various fine chemicals, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and fragrances. Conventionally, it is carried out using the catalysts like AlCl₃, FeCl₃, ZnCl₃, HF, which suffer from major drawbacks such as larger consumption, corrosion and safety issues, waste disposal and the material handling. Hence the conventional catalysts are being replaced with solid acid catalysts like H-Beta, H-ZSM5 to overcome the above drawbacks. In this work, liquid phase acylation of anisole has been carried out employing H Beta, H ZSM-5 and HY catalysts and the process standardization at a macrolevel has been done with reference to parameters like temperature, reaction time, molar ratio of reactants, catalyst nature, Si/Al ratio of catalyst and the catalyst quantity. In addition, catalyst stability was investigated.     

康熙《皇城宫殿衙署图》解读(下)*

以尿素为沉淀剂,采用负压沉积沉淀法将Au负载于不同载体,分别制备了Au/HZSM-5、 Au/SiO_2及Au/Al_2O_3催化剂.采用X射线粉末衍射、透射电镜、 NH_3-程序升温脱附、红外羟基和原位吸附吡啶红外羟基等技术对催化剂进行了表征,探究了Au对不同载体的作用,并用脉冲微反装置评价了催化剂对正丁烷脱氢反应的性能.结果表明,相较于其他载金催化剂, Au/HZSM-5酸性较强, Au与HZSM-5相互作用后会形成Si-O(H)-Au基团,该活性相对正丁烷脱氢起到一定的促进作用.     

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis: evaluation of Gd and Ru promoters effect on Co/<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst at different conditions

In this study, the effect of Ru and Gd promoters on 15Co/\(\gamma\)-Al₂O₃ catalyst in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is investigated. The catalysts were synthesized by dry impregnation method and characterized by XRD, adsorption/desorption of nitrogen, TPR, TEM, ICP and XPS analyses. Activity and selectivity of the catalysts were examined in a fixed bed reactor at 210–230 °C with a H₂/CO ratio of 2 and atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the Ru-promoted catalyst has the highest activity and methane selectivity which reduce the chain growth probability. The Gd-promoted catalyst was shown smaller particle size and higher dispersion of cobalt particles in compared with unpromoted catalyst. The smaller particles have more interaction and thus show the lower catalyst reducibility. The presence of Gd in the catalyst cause higher chain growth probability compared to the unpromoted one. The Ru–Gd-promoted catalysts were shown a synergic effect in the catalyst reducibility. Based on the screening of the catalysts in the atmospheric pressure; the unpromoted, 0.1Ru/15Co/Al₂O₃, and 0.1Ru1Gd/15Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts were selected to test at high pressure conditions, which the 0.1Ru1Gd/15Co catalyst showed the highest C₅ ⁺ selectivity (75%) compared with the 0.1Ru/15Co/Al₂O₃ and the unpromoted one.