Catalytic coprocessing of waste plastics and petroleum residue into liquid fuel oils

Waste plastics of different types were catalytically coprocessed with petroleum residue of light Arabian crude oil in the presence of a number of catalysts. The purpose of the study was to explore effects of various conditions such as catalyst type, amount of catalyst, reaction time, pressure and temperature on the product distribution. The waste plastic studied included low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP). A series of single (waster plastic with catalyst) and binary (waste plastic and residue with catalyst) reactions were carried out in an autoclave reactor under variable reaction conditions. The reaction conditions used were 1, 3 and 5 wt.% catalysts, 30–120 min reaction time, 400–430 °C reaction temperature and 500–1200 psi hydrogen pressure. The product distribution achieved for residue/plastic/catalyst system showed higher yields of liquid fuels as compared to residue/plastic system. Hydrocarbon gases were formed as well along with heavy oils, insoluble gums and coke. At the reaction conditions of 3 wt.% NiMo catalyst, 90 min reaction time, 1200 psi hydrogen gas pressure, 430 °C temperature and residue to plastic feed ratio of 3:2 (wt.) afforded maximum conversion of the plastics into liquid fuel oils.     

Kinetic modelling and simulations studies for propanoic acid esterification process

The esterification of propanoic acid with n-butanol to produce n-butyl propionate and water in the influence of an Amberlite catalyst was investigated using a batch reactor. The catalyst was chosen based on its ability to perform in this reaction. The temperature of the reaction runs between 363.15 K and 403.15 K, while the propanoic acid to n-butanol molar ratio is around 1:1 and 1:4. The selection of the catalyst loading is dependent on the volume of the reaction mixture. The catalyst dosage was kept within a 1%–3% by weight range. The kinetics of conversion have been researched in relation to the reaction temperature, mole ratio, catalyst size, stirrer speed, and catalyst quantity. The catalyst dosage and reaction temperature, according to the study, have a substantial influence on how soon the system achieves equilibrium. The pseudo homogeneous kinetic model is developed and tested against experimental results. Under the specified conditions, model predictions and empirical observations accord well. Arrhenius equation was used for calculation of rate constants and energy of activation. The forward reaction's frequency factor & activation energy are 18.554 L/mol.min and 30350 J/mol, correspondingly. Since the equilibrium constant increases as the temperature rises, the reaction is endothermic.     

An epoxide ring-opening reaction by using sol–gel-synthesized palladium supported on a strontium hydroxyl fluoride catalyst

Palladium supported on a strontium hydroxyl fluoride catalyst was synthesized by a one-pot fluorolytic sol–gel method. The prepared catalyst was characterized by various physicochemical techniques. The sol–gel method has led to the formation of a high surface area (57 m²g⁻¹), mesoporous (pore diameter = 13.0 nm) catalyst with uniform dispersion of Pd nanoparticles of size ∼7 nm on the surface of strontium hydroxyl fluoride. The catalyst was used for epoxide alcoholysis, and 100% conversion was obtained with 96% selectivity for β-alkoxy alcohols under mild conditions. The catalyst could be recycled for up to three catalytic cycles without any appreciable decrease in conversion and selectivity, indicating the stability of the catalyst under the reaction conditions. Further, the mechanism of alcoholysis was proposed on the basis of the physicochemical characteristics of the catalyst and on the basis of the products formed during the catalytic reaction.     

A study on the structure and catalytic performance of ZnxCu1−xAl2O4 catalysts synthesized by the solution combustion method for the esterification reaction

A Zn_xCu_1−xAl₂O₄ catalyst was prepared via the microwave-assisted solution combustion method (MSC). This method presents a fast procedure for industrial scale catalyst preparation. The physicochemical properties of the fabricated catalyst were characterized using XRD, FTIR, BET, SEM and TEM analyses. The catalytic performance through the esterification reaction was examined under the following conditions: reaction temperature = 180 °C, catalyst concentration = 3% (w/w), molar ratio of oleic acid to methanol = 9 and reaction time = 6 h. XRD results showed that loading both zinc and copper oxides on alumina at a ratio of amounts that were nearly the same resulted in decreased crystalline size and well-dispersed copper-alumina and zinc-alumina crystals. Moreover, the mean pore diameter of the sample was increased by simultaneous loading of zinc and copper oxides on alumina that enhanced permeation of the reactants within pores and increased the interaction of the reactant with the catalyst active sites. The catalyst showed minimum tendency towards adsorbing moisture from air, which was attributed to it having less atoms on the surface through which binding with H₂O molecules takes place. The highest level of activity in the esterification reaction (96.9%) was obtained at the optimum ratio of the Zn:Cu molar ratio, identified to be 2:3. The sample particles ranged from 10 to 30 nm in size, without agglomeration.     

Hydrothermal low-temperature preparation and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles supported on natural zeolite as a highly efficient photocatalyst

Abstract  

Nanoparticles of zinc oxide were supported on natural zeolite using a hydrothermal method. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray techniques. The maximum rate constant for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) was observed at 80 wt.% ZnO. The influence of various parameters such as catalyst composition, initial concentration of MB, calcination temperature, pH, and catalyst weight on the photodegradation reaction was studied. It was found that photodegradation of MB followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate constant of the reaction for 80 wt.% ZnO at optimized conditions was approximately 3.8 times higher than that for bare ZnO. The photocatalyst had good reusability after four runs. The higher activity of the supported catalyst is due to greater adsorption of MB on the catalyst and its capability to delocalize the conduction-band electrons of excited ZnO.     

Kinetics of ultrasound‐assisted esterification of maleic acid and butanol using heterogeneous catalyst

The present research investigates the kinetics of ultrasound‐assisted synthesis of dibutyl maleate using a heterogeneous catalyst (Amberlyst‐15) in solvent‐free system. Reaction parameters were optimized based on conversion by varying the various parameters such as n‐butanol to maleic acid mole ratio, temperature, molecular sieves, catalyst loading, power, and duty cycle. Optimization of parameters resulted in 56.2% yield at 343 K, alcohol to acid mole ratio as 4:1, catalyst loading of 4%, molecular sieves of 4% with an ultrasound power input of 100 W with 60% duty cycle and 22 kHz frequency. In the presence of ultrasound, the reaction time reduced to 120 min in comparison with 240 min of the conventional process. The experimental kinetic data were correlated using Pseudo‐Homogeneous model as well as heterogeneous models like Eley‐Rideal model and Langmuir‐Hinshelwood‐Hougen‐Watson (LHHW) model based on single as well as dual‐site mechanisms. LHHW (reactants and products) model was found to be the best fit. The results proved that the reaction follows second‐order kinetics. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated as 14.64 kJ/mol.     

Esterification of caprylic acid with alcohol over nano-crystalline sulfated zirconia

The catalytic activity of nano-crystalline sulfated zirconia catalyst, prepared by sol–gel method and characterized by various analytical tools, was evaluated for the esterification of caprylic acid with different short chain alcohols. The lower concentration of catalyst (0.5 wt%) exhibited 96–98% conversion of caprylic acid with methanol and 100% selectivity for methyl caprylate at 60 °C. The conversion was decreased with increasing carbon chain of alcohols namely with ethanol, n-propanol and n-butanol at 60 °C but increased significantly (91–98%) at higher reaction temperature. The selectivity for respective alkyl caprylate was observed to be 100% irrespective of the alcohol used. The activity of the catalyst was slightly decreased with successive five reaction cycles due to the water formed during the reaction.     

Catalytic cracking of polyethylene waste in horizontal tube reactor

In this study catalytic and thermal cracking of polyethylene waste were investigated in continued tube reactor system. HZSM-5 and equilibrium FCC type catalysts were tested. Both the resistance to deactivation and the regeneration process of the catalyst were studied. Reaction temperature of 545 °C and residence time of 20 min were used during the cracking treatment. The reaction products were analyzed and the textural properties of catalysts were also determined. It was found that after the first reaction run the FCC catalyst lost 75% of its cracking activity, in case of HZSM-5 the rate of deactivation was higher. The cracking activity of catalyst could be improved by regeneration process with only 2-3% compared to the coked catalyst. The isomerisation effect of the catalysts was also observed. The effect of coked FCC catalyst could be improved by the regeneration process with 50% in case of HZSM-5 it was only 25%.     

Polymeric ionic liquid as novel catalyst for the Prins reaction

A series of micro-mesoporous polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) have been successfully synthesized by the method of anion and cation copolymerization. Then use FT-IR, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, SEM, and TG to characterize them. Furthermore, the catalytic performance of the synthesized PILs was investigated for the Prins reaction of propylene with 1, 3, 5-trioxane. Among the four PILs synthesized, VIMBs-DVB-SSA has better catalytic activities for the Prins reaction. Under the optimal conditions, 100 °C, 8 wt%, 4 h and n (propylene)/n (1, 3, 5-trioxane) = 4:1, the conversion of formaldehyde (99.8%) and selectivity (81.7%) for 4-methyl-1, 3-dioxane. In addition, the effects of reaction time, catalyst dosage, and reaction temperature and mole ratio of reaction substrates on the reaction were also investigated. The prepared catalyst had good thermal stability and can be reused easily.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of synthesis of palm oil-based trimethylolpropane triester using microwave irradiation

Enhancement of reaction performance utilizing microwave irradiation has drawn so much interest due to its shorter reaction time and low catalyst loading. These advantages are particularly significant from kinetics and thermodynamics perspectives. This study aimed to investigate the kinetics and thermodynamics of microwave-assisted transesterification of palm oil-based methyl ester into biolubricant. The transesterification reaction of palm oil methyl ester (PME) and trimethylolpropane (TMP) was conducted at 110–130 °C for 90 min under vacuum condition. Sodium methoxide was employed as the catalyst at 0.6 wt% of reactants fixed at molar ratio of 4:1 (PME: TMP). The experimental data were fitted with the second-order reversible reaction kinetics mechanisms. The data were solved via Runge-Kutta 4,5 order using MATLAB software. Analysis on the data revealed that the reaction rate constants at temperatures of 110–140 ℃ were in the range of 0.01–0.63 [(w/w)(min)]⁻¹, with standard errors of 0.0026–0.0228 within 99.99% prediction interval. Microwave-assisted reaction obtained 17.0 kcal/mol of activation energy. This method reduced activation energy by 49% as compared to the conventional heating. Activation energy and time-periodic energy assessment showed that the reaction was endothermic. The reaction at 130 °C is the easiest to activate. The positive Gibbs free energy (ΔG > 0) found using Eyring-Polanyi equation indicated that the transesterification was non-spontaneous and endergonic.     

Heterogeneous platinum catalytic aerobic oxidation of cyclopentane-1,2-diols to cyclopentane-1,2-diones

A method for the aerobic oxidation of cyclopentane-1,2-diols to the corresponding diketones over a commercial heterogeneous Pt/C catalyst is described. Unsubstituted and 3- or 4-substituted cyclopentane-1,2-diols are oxidized to 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in good yields under the reported optimized reaction conditions (atmospheric air, 1 mol % of catalyst, 1 equiv of LiOH, aqueous solvents and 60 °C temperature). The method is applicable for producing cyclopentane-1,2-diketones in a scalable manner.     

Squaramide-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective Michael addition of 3-substituted oxindoles to nitroalkenes

An efficient diastereo- and enantioselective Michael addition of 3-substituted oxindoles onto nitroalkenes catalyzed by a bifunctional chiral squaramide catalyst has been developed. This organocatalytic reaction with 2 mol % of catalyst proceeded smoothly to afford 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in high yields with good diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 dr, 88% ee).     

Hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol over copper-containing catalysts

Catalytic properties of different copper-containing catalysts synthesized from different precursors were studied in the hydrogenation of lactic acid at mild conditions. The most active catalyst was found to be chrysocolla-like copper hydroxysilicate with the copper loading of about 50 at%. At the optimal reaction conditions (T = 473 K, WHSV = 0.08 h⁻¹), 95% conversion of lactic acid over this catalyst and 65% selectivity to 1,2-propylene glycol were achieved. The effect of the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) on the lactic acid conversion and selectivity to propylene glycol was studied. It is found that the formation of propylene glycol and propanoic acid as a byproduct proceeds via parallel pathways.     

Ecofriendly and efficient procedure for hetero-Michael addition reactions with an acidic ionic liquid as catalyst and reaction medium

Abstract  

1-Methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate ([Hmim]TFA) is reported as a cost-effective catalyst for a simple and environmentally benign hetero-Michael reaction. [Hmim]TFA works both as reaction medium and catalyst. The reaction is applicable to various aromatic sulfur and nitrogen nucleophiles. This method has advantages such as high yields, short reaction time, and simple workup. The catalyst could be recycled several times without any loss of activity.     

Synthesis of dypnone by solvent free self condensation of acetophenone over nano-crystalline sulfated zirconia catalyst

Nano-crystalline sulfated zirconia catalyst, prepared by two-step sol–gel method, has been studied for the solvent free self condensation of acetophenone to dypnone. The influence of calcination temperature on the structural, textural and catalytic activity of sulfated zirconia has been analyzed. The surface acidity along with the structural and textural features of the catalyst influenced its activity. The conversion of acetophenone was found to be effected by the variation in the reaction and calcination temperature, however, the dypnone selectivity was not affected much. The catalyst calcined at 650 °C, showed maximum dypnone selectivity of 92% with 68.2% acetophenone conversion at 170 °C after 7 h. The catalyst was reused up to five cycles with marginal decrease in acetophenone conversion, however, without losing its selectivity for dypnone.     

High Catalytic Performance of Mesoporous Dual Brønsted Acidic Ternary Poly (Ionic Liquids) for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation

A newfangled cross‐linked dual Brønsted acidic ternary mesoporous poly (ionic liquids)(MPILs) with mesoporous structure was successfully synthesized with divinylbenzene as cross linker, 1‐vinyl‐3‐butyl imidazole bromide and sodium p‐styrene sulfonate as functional group through an ordinary post‐modification method and anion exchange process. A sponge‐like mesoporous tunnel structure was observed and the obtained P (BVS‐SO₃H)‐SO₃CF₃ sample appeared a relatively high thermal stability, a large surface area (up to 286.8 m²/g) and great pore volume (0.73 cm³/g). The abundant dual acidic group of sulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid of the composite in the polymer framework impart Brønsted acidity. For the sake of demonstrating our claims, the sample has been used as a novel solid acid catalyst for the reaction of alkylation of o‐xylene with styrene to 1‐diphenylethane (PXE). Under optimal reaction conditions (reaction under 120 °C for 3 hr, catalyst amount was 0.5 wt% of the reaction system, and the mass ratio of o‐xylene/styrene was 7.5:1, a 100% conversion of styrene and 93.7% PXE yield was acquired. After four times recycle, the yield remains 53.3%. Comparing with the commercial liquid acid catalyst, it processing a higher catalytic property and recyclability. Moreover, this fresh dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst owning a promising future applied in other acidic catalytic reactions and provide a new method to modify catalyst.     

Application of carbonized cellulose-based catalyst in nitrobenzene hydrogenation

Carbonized cellulose catalyst support was prepared and decorated with 5 wt% Pd nanoparticles using an impregnation method. According to the SEM images, the carbonized cellulose catalyst support kept its original fibrous structure with an average diameter of 200 nm, owing to the carbonization of the cellulose fibers. The surface of the formed carbon fibers is richly coated by palladium with even coverage. The particles can be divided into two groups within which the average diameter is either 5 nm, or 20–70 nm. TGA method was used to measure the amount of the remained carbon, which was 31.71 wt%. The FTIR spectrum shows the presence of oxygen containing functional groups on the surface of the support, which are hydroxyl groups. XRD method was used to determine the phases of Pd on the support where elemental Pd was detected which confirms the success of the activation step. The catalyst was tested in nitrobenzene hydrogenation in methanolic solution as a model reaction for nitroarene hydrogenation, meanwhile the temperature dependence of the reaction was also examined. Catalytic tests were carried out at four different temperatures (283–323 K) and constant hydrogen pressure (20 bar). The highest conversion (>99%) has been reached at 303 K and 20 bar. The corresponding activation energy was calculated by non-linear regression based on Arrhenius plot, and it was 24.16 ± 0.8 kJ/mol. All in all, the granulated cellulose beads are ideal starting points for carbon based catalyst supports.     

Palladium tetrazole–supported complex as an efficient catalyst for the Heck reaction

Abstract  

A tetrazole-supported polymeric ligand has been synthesized. The palladium complex derived from the polymeric material has been evaluated as a catalyst for the Heck reaction of aryl iodides and bromides with styrene to provide the corresponding products in high yields. The reaction proceeded smoothly in the presence of 1 mol% with respect to Pd of catalyst in DMF at 125 or 140 °C within 1–3 h. Recycling studies showed that the catalyst can be readily recovered and reused for several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Starch saccharification by carbon-based solid acid catalyst

The hydrolysis of cornstarch using a highly active solid acid catalyst, a carbon material bearing SO₃H, COOH and OH groups, was investigated at 353–393 K through an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and an artificial neural network (ANN). ANOVA revealed that reaction temperature and time are significant parameters for the catalytic hydrolysis of starch. The ANN model indicated that the reaction efficiency reaches a maximum at an optimal condition (water, 0.8–1.0 mL; starch, 0.3–0.4 g; catalyst, 0.3 g; reaction temperature, 373 K; reaction time, 3 h). The relationship between the reaction and these parameters is discussed on the basis of the reaction mechanism.     

Liquid phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde over chromium borophosphate catalyst synthesized by solution combustion method using different types of fuel

In this paper, chromium borophosphates have been prepared by the solution combustion method using different types of fuel and enhanced as a catalyst for liquid-phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde for the first time. Carbohydrazide, citric acid, hexamethylenetetramine, oxalyldihydrazide and urea used as an organic fuel and the obtained chromium borophosphates were systematically characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and surface analysis techniques. They are structurally identical and thermally stable up to 1000 °C. According to fuel, their surface properties differ from each other and the long and short rod-like particles, which have a surface area between 7 and 19 m² g^?1, are formed. The effects of solvent type, reaction temperature, reaction time, peroxide amount and catalyst amount were also examined for catalytic studies, and the reaction conditions were optimized. As compared with the other fuels, hexamethylenetetramine-assisted synthesized chromium borophosphate catalyst provides high benzaldehyde conversion (52.09%) and selectivity (100%) under the optimized condition and has potential as a heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation reactions.