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Controlling selectivity and stability of zeolite catalysts for methanol to hydrocarbons and ethylene oligomerization


    Problem Statement

    Olefins are commodity chemicals with applications in the production of plastics (petrochemical industry), lubricants, plasticizers, and surfactants, among many others. However, there is an imbalance between their production and demand, which oligomerization-cracking reactions over zeolites could solve. At the same time, zeolites are excellent catalysts for methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH), olefins (MTO), or aromatics (MTA). The processes aim to produce light hydrocarbons like propylene or convert ethylene into higher-value a-olefins, aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX), and jet fuel.

    Our focus in this project is to modify, synthesize, and develop novel materials of different porosity (engineered at the multiscale): from hierarchical zeolites, nano zeolites, and hollow zeolites to catalytic particles, bodies, spray-dried, and extrudates with tuned properties. Additionally, we incorporate different metals (i.e., Ni, Cr, Zn) to adjust the selectivity of desired products.

    We use various reactors, such as operando or high-throughput packed-bed and batch reactors.

    OLG-O2H

    Goals

    • Control structure–selectivity: Tune zeolite porosity and acidity to maximize propylene and α-olefin yields.
    • Metal modulation: Use Ni, Cr, Zn to bias reaction pathways and improve selectivity to target hydrocarbons.
    • Deactivation control: Reduce coke formation and extend catalyst lifetime with regeneration strategies.
    • Reactor optimization: Shape catalysts into bodies/extrudates and validate 100 h continuous stable operation.

    Related People

    Hend Omar Mohamed
    Kiruthika Jayaseelan

    Related Publications

    Comprehensive Approach for Designing Different Configurations of Isothermal Reactors with Fast Catalyst Deactivation

    by Cordero-Lanzac, Aguayo, Gayubo, Castaño, Bilbao
    Chem. Eng. J. Year: 2020

    Abstract

    A methodology for simulating the performance of different reactor configurations for processes with complex reaction networks and fast catalyst deactivation has been proposed. These reaction configurations are: packed bed, moving bed and fluidized bed reactors with and without catalyst circulation. From kinetic parameters collected in a packed bed reactor and a rigorous consideration of the activity, modifications in the convection-dispersion-reaction equation have led to the prediction of the catalyst performance in each reactor configuration. The circulating fluidized bed reactor has been simulated with an original model of parallel compartments, which allows for determining its performance in the steady state from the evolution of the transitory period. The methodology has been used for simulating the dynamics of SAPO-34 fast deactivation during the methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process. For each reactor configuration, concentration profiles and their evolution with time have been simulated, thus predicting the effect of reaction conditions and water content (formed and/or co-fed) on the activity profile or the activity distribution function (in the case of circulating fluidized bed reactor). The olefin yield and distribution have also been compared for each reactor configuration.

    Keywords

    O2H FCC CRE MKM