Acetone hydrogenation catalyst and method for producing isopropanol

Abstract

To provide a catalyst which, even when, for example, carbon dioxide coexists in raw material gas, can suppress its adverse effects and effectively promote isopropanol production reactions by acetone vapor phase hydrogenation.SOLUTION: The present invention provides an acetone hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating acetone in coexistence of carbon dioxide, comprising at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an acetone hydrogenation catalyst and a method for producing isopropanol using the acetone hydrogenation catalyst. More specifically, the present invention relates to a catalyst that can be suitably used to produce isopropanol by hydrogenating acetone in the gas phase in the presence of carbon dioxide, and a method for producing isopropanol using the catalyst. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for producing isopropanol by hydrogenating acetone in the gas phase is known (Non-Patent Documents 1-4, Patent Document 1). Catalysts used in this method include nickel-based catalysts (Non-Patent Document 1), copper-based catalysts (Non-Patent Document 2), copper oxide-chromium oxide-based catalysts (Patent Document 1), ruthenium-based catalysts (Non-Patent Document 3), and platinum-based catalysts (Non-Patent Documents 3, 4).

[0003] Most of the aforementioned literature discloses that a raw material gas is obtained by encombining acetone and hydrogen with a carrier gas such as nitrogen or helium, and that this raw material gas is supplied to a catalyst layer controlled to a predetermined temperature, where the catalyst hydrogenates the acetone to produce isopropanol.

[0004] On the other hand, Non-Patent Document 3 discloses that the effect of water vapor added to the reaction gas on the acetone hydrogenation reaction rate was investigated at 353 K and 1 atmosphere, and that a reaction-promoting effect was observed with the Ru / C catalyst, while no effect was observed with the Pt-based catalyst. Furthermore, paragraph

[0014] of Patent Document 1 states that it is not necessary to use hydrogen of particularly high purity as the hydrogen gas used in the acetone hydrogenation reaction, and that hydrogen containing impurities such as methane or ethane generated in ethylene production plants can be used, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-128716 [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 714–717, 1987. [Non-Patent Document 2] Journal of Industrial Chemistry, Vol. 68, No. 1, pp. 254-255, 1965. [Non-Patent Document 3] Benginur Demir et al., “Effects of water on the kinetics of acetone hydrogenation over Pt and Ru catalysts”, Journal Of Catalysis Volume 403, Page 215―227, 2021 [Non-Patent Document 4] Xin Gao et al., “Microkinetic analysis of acetone hydrogenation over Pt / SiO2”, Journal Of Catalysis Volume 374, Page 183―198, 2019 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the acetone hydrogenation reaction, cases where carbon dioxide is present are anticipated, as illustrated below. (I) A method for producing isopropanol by synthesizing acetone from ethanol by the following reaction and subsequently performing acetone hydrogenation. Acetone synthesis reaction: 2C2H5OH + H2O → CH3COCH3 + 4H2 + CO2 Acetone hydrogenation reaction: CH3COCH3 + H2 → CH3CH(OH)CH3 (II) A method of acetone hydrogenation using hydrogen-containing gas produced by the steam reforming reaction of methane as is. Steam reforming reaction of methane: CH4 + 2H2O → CO2 + 4H2 As described above, some prior art documents disclose that hydrogen containing impurities such as water vapor, methane, and ethane can be used in the acetone hydrogenation reaction, but the influence of the coexistence of carbon dioxide has not been studied so far. In view of such circumstances, as a result of examining in detail the influence of coexisting carbon dioxide in the acetone gas-phase hydrogenation reaction, it has been found that when using the conventionally proposed acetone hydrogenation catalyst, there is a problem that it is poisoned by coexisting carbon dioxide and its activity is significantly reduced.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst that can effectively promote the reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone gas-phase hydrogenation while suppressing its adverse effects even when carbon dioxide coexists in the raw material gas, for example.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present inventor conducted various studies to achieve the above object and arrived at the present invention. That is, the catalyst of the present disclosure is an acetone hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating acetone in the coexistence of carbon dioxide, which contains at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an acetone hydrogenation catalyst that can hydrogenate acetone in the gas phase to produce isopropanol while suppressing its adverse effects even when carbon dioxide coexists in the reaction raw material gas, for example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail. In addition, a combination of two or more of the individual preferred forms of the present disclosure described below is also a preferred form of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Acetone Hydrogenation Catalyst] [Metal Element] The acetone hydrogenation catalyst of this disclosure (hereinafter also referred to as the catalyst of this disclosure) contains at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table. Examples of metal elements belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table include Fe, Ru, and Os. The catalyst of this disclosure may contain only one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, or it may contain two or more. The catalyst of this disclosure is more preferably Ru.

[0013] The catalysts of this disclosure may optionally contain metal elements belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table. Examples of metal elements belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table include Ni, Pd, and Pt. The catalysts of this disclosure may contain one or more metal elements belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table.

[0014] The catalysts of this disclosure may optionally include metal elements other than those belonging to Group 8 and Group 10 of the periodic table (hereinafter also referred to as "other metal elements" or "metal elements belonging to groups other than Group 8 and Group 10 of the periodic table").

[0015] The aforementioned metallic element can be used in the form of a pure metal, an alloy, a metal oxide, or the like.

[0016] The catalysts of this disclosure may contain oxides of metals belonging to groups other than Groups 8 and 10 of the periodic table (hereinafter also referred to as "other metals"). Examples of the other metals include metal elements belonging to Group 1 of the periodic table such as Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs; metal elements belonging to Group 2 of the periodic table such as Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; metal elements belonging to Group 3 of the periodic table such as Y, La, and Ce; metal elements belonging to Group 4 of the periodic table such as Ti, Zr, and Hf; metal elements belonging to Group 5 of the periodic table such as V, Nb, and Ta; metal elements belonging to Group 6 of the periodic table such as Cr, Mo, and W; metal elements belonging to Group 7 of the periodic table such as Mn, Tc, and Re; metal elements belonging to Group 9 of the periodic table such as Co, Rh, and Ir; metal elements belonging to Group 11 of the periodic table such as Cu; metal elements belonging to Group 12 of the periodic table such as Zn and Cd; metal elements belonging to Group 13 of the periodic table such as Al, Ga, and In; and metal elements belonging to Group 14 of the periodic table such as Si, Ge, and Sn. The aforementioned other metal oxides are not particularly limited, but may be included in the catalyst of this disclosure as a carrier as described later. Examples of other metal oxides include the metal oxides exemplified in the "carrier" section later. Preferably, the other metal oxides include one or more metal oxides selected from Al, Si, Ti, Ce, and Zr.

[0017] <carrier> The catalysts of this disclosure may optionally include a support. The support is not particularly limited, but may include carbonaceous powders such as conductive carbon or activated carbon; alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2), silica-alumina, titania (TiO2), ceria (CeO2), zirconia (ZrO2), magnesia (MgO), diatomaceous earth, steatite, cordierite, silica-magnesia, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, zeolite, Ce x Zr 1-x O2 (x=0.1~0.9), La 10 Si6O 27 , Ca2AlMnO5, La2Zr2O7, La2Zr 1.9 Y 0.1Metal oxides such as O7, CaZrO3, SrZrO3, BaZrO3, etc. are exemplified. Among these, it is more preferable that the carrier contains a metal oxide, and it is even more preferable that it contains Al2O3, SiO2, CeO2, ZrO2, or a composite oxide thereof. The carrier is not particularly limited, and commercially available ones may be used. There is no particular limitation on the shape of the carrier, and known shapes such as spherical, cylindrical, and ring-shaped ones may be used.

[0018] The carrier preferably supports a metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, which is a catalytic active component, and / or a metal element belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table, which is an optional component, although not limited thereto. The carrier is not particularly limited, but the specific surface area is preferably 1 to 1000 m 2 / g, more preferably 2 to 750 m 2 / g, and even more preferably 10 to 500 m 2 / g.

[0019] <Composition of Acetone Hydrogenation Catalyst> The catalyst of the present disclosure preferably contains 0.2 to 20% by mass of a metal element, more preferably 0.5 to 20% by mass, and even more preferably 1 to 20% by mass. By containing the metal element within the above range, the catalyst of the present disclosure tends to exhibit excellent catalytic activity when performing the hydrogenation reaction of acetone in the coexistence of carbon dioxide.

[0020] The catalyst of the present disclosure preferably contains 0.2 to 20% by mass of a metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, more preferably 0.5 to 15% by mass, and even more preferably 1 to 10% by mass. By containing the metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table within the above range, the catalyst of the present disclosure tends to exhibit excellent catalytic activity when performing the hydrogenation reaction of acetone in the coexistence of carbon dioxide.

[0021] The catalyst of this disclosure preferably contains 0 to 15% by mass of a metal element belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table, more preferably 0.5 to 15% by mass, and even more preferably 1 to 10% by mass. When the content of a metal element belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table in the catalyst of this disclosure is within the above range, excellent catalytic activity tends to be obtained when the hydrogenation reaction of acetone is carried out in the presence of carbon dioxide.

[0022] The catalyst of this disclosure preferably contains 0 to 99.8% by mass of an oxide of a metal belonging to a group other than Groups 8 and 10 of the periodic table, more preferably 50 to 99% by mass, and even more preferably 70 to 98% by mass. When the support content of the catalyst of this disclosure is within the above range, excellent catalytic activity tends to be obtained when the hydrogenation reaction of acetone is carried out in the presence of carbon dioxide.

[0023] The catalyst of this disclosure preferably contains 0 to 99.8% by mass of the support, more preferably 50 to 99%, and even more preferably 70 to 98% by mass. When the support content of the catalyst of this disclosure is within the above range, excellent catalytic activity tends to be obtained when the hydrogenation reaction of acetone is carried out in the presence of carbon dioxide.

[0024] The content of other metal elements (excluding metal elements that constitute oxides of other metals) in the catalyst of this disclosure is preferably 0 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10% by mass. This range tends to result in excellent catalytic activity when the hydrogenation reaction of acetone is carried out in the presence of carbon dioxide.

[0025] <Properties of acetone hydrogenation catalyst> The catalyst of this disclosure may be a mixture of elemental metals, a mixture of elemental metals and metal oxides, a mixture with metal oxides, a mixed metal oxide, and the like. The shape of the catalyst in this disclosure is not particularly limited and may be in the form of a powder, particulate matter, pellets, honeycomb, etc.

[0026] <Applications of acetone hydrogenation catalysts> The catalyst of this disclosure can be preferably used in the hydrogenation reaction of acetone. The catalyst of this disclosure can effectively hydrogenate acetone by suppressing the inhibition of activity by carbon dioxide, even when the hydrogenation reaction of acetone is carried out in the presence of carbon dioxide. Therefore, the catalyst of this disclosure can be particularly preferably used as an acetone hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating acetone in the presence of carbon dioxide, i.e., a catalyst for acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide.

[0027] <Examples of preferred forms of acetone hydrogenation catalysts> The following (1) to (9) are examples of preferred forms of the acetone hydrogenation catalyst of this disclosure. (1) An acetone hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating acetone in the presence of carbon dioxide, comprising at least one metallic element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table. (2) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1), further comprising at least one metallic element belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table. (3) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1) or (2), comprising 0.2 to 20% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 20% by mass of a metal element. (4) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising an oxide of a metal belonging to a group other than Group 8 and Group 10 of the periodic table. (5) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1) to (4) above, wherein the metallic element selected from Group 8 of the periodic table is ruthenium, and the metallic element selected from Group 10 of the periodic table is nickel and / or platinum. (6) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1) to (5) above, comprising 0.2 to 20% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 20% by mass, a metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table. (7) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1) to (6) above, comprising 0 to 15% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10% by mass, a metal element belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table. (8) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1) to (7) above, comprising 0 to 99.8% by mass, preferably 50 to 99% by mass, more preferably 70 to 98% by mass, of an oxide of a metal belonging to a group other than Group 8 and Group 10 of the periodic table. (9) The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to (1) to (8) above for hydrogenating acetone in the presence of carbon dioxide in the presence of 0.01 volume% or more, preferably 0.02 volume% or more, more preferably 0.05 volume% or more, and 20 volume% or less, preferably 5 volume% or less, more preferably 1 volume% or less.

[0028] [Method for producing an acetone hydrogenation catalyst] The method for producing the acetone hydrogenation catalyst of this disclosure is not particularly limited and may be produced by known methods. For example, it can be produced by solid-phase reaction, impregnation, precipitation, coprecipitation, etc. For example, it may be produced by mixing solid raw materials such as oxides or carbonates of constituent elements and calcining, by adding an aqueous solution containing a salt of another constituent element to an oxide of one constituent element, mixing and impregnating, drying and calcining, or by mixing an aqueous solution containing a salt of a constituent element, adjusting the pH to obtain a precipitate, and then drying and calcining the precipitate. Examples of the constituent elements include metal elements belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, metal elements belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table, other metal elements, and metal elements that constitute the support. It may also be produced by mixing a solution or slurry of a compound containing a metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table with a support or other metal oxide as needed, drying and then calcining.

[0029] The compounds containing metal elements belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table are not particularly limited, but examples include ruthenium nitrate, ruthenium acetate, tris(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(III), hexaammineruthenium hydroxide, ruthenium chloride, iron nitrate nonahydrate, iron sulfate heptahydrate, and iron acetate. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. The solvent contained in the solution is not particularly limited, but examples include water; alcohols such as ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, glycerin, and pentaerythritol; and so on. One of these may be used, or two or more may be used. The aforementioned carrier or other metal oxide is not particularly limited, but examples include the compounds exemplified in the "acetone hydrogenation catalyst" section.

[0030] The mixing may be carried out with stirring. The mixing may be carried out at room temperature, but it may also be carried out under cooling or heating conditions. The mixing process may also be carried out under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon.

[0031] The method for producing the catalyst of this disclosure may include a molding step. In the molding step, although not particularly limited, for example, one or more compounds containing metal elements belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, compounds containing metal elements belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table, and metal oxides may be thoroughly mixed in a mixer such as a kneader in the presence of molding aids such as an organic binder or glass fiber as needed, the solid content may be adjusted as needed, and the mixture may be extruded into a predetermined shape. After drying and firing the molded product, the catalyst of this disclosure may be produced by supporting metal elements belonging to Group 8 and / or Group 10 of the periodic table on the molded product by impregnation or the like.

[0032] The firing temperature is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200 to 600°C, more preferably 250 to 550°C, and even more preferably 300 to 500°C. The firing may be carried out at a constant temperature, or it may be carried out under two or more temperature conditions. The firing process may be carried out under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon. The firing time is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 minutes or more and 10 hours or less, and more preferably 30 minutes or more and 5 hours or less.

[0033] [Method for producing isopropanol] <Raw material gas supply process> The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure includes a step of supplying a raw material gas containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone to a catalyst layer containing a catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table (hereinafter also referred to as the raw material gas supply step). There are no particular restrictions on the form in which the raw material gas is supplied to the catalyst layer, but all raw material gas components may be supplied to the reactor containing the catalyst layer as gases, or one or more of the raw material gas components may be supplied to the reactor containing the catalyst layer as liquids and vaporized in the reactor to supply the raw material gas to the catalyst layer. A gasification device such as a heating furnace may be provided in front of the reactor containing the catalyst layer.

[0034] In this disclosure, the term "catalyst layer" should be understood in its usual sense, but for example, it refers to the portion of a reactor that is filled with or contains a catalyst.

[0035] Here, "raw material gas" includes all the gas supplied to the catalyst layer.

[0036] The raw material gas can contain carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone, and is not particularly limited. Carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone may be prepared separately. However, it is preferable to use a method that uses carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone obtained by the reaction to produce acetone from ethanol as described in (i) below, or a method that uses a hydrogen-containing gas containing carbon dioxide produced by the steam reforming reaction of methane as described in (ii) below. (i) 2C2H5OH+H2O → CH3COCH3+4H2+CO2 (ii) CH4 + 2H2O → CO2 + 4H2 The catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table in the raw material gas supply process is the same as the catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table in the acetone hydrogenation process described later.

[0037] The raw material gases, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone, may be added to the reactor as a mixture, or they may be added to the reactor separately.

[0038] The shape of the reactor is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a fixed-bed flow reactor. The material of the reactor is also not particularly limited. For example, it may be a reactor made of stainless steel (SUS).

[0039] The concentration of carbon dioxide in the raw material gas is preferably 0.01% by volume or higher, more preferably 0.02% by volume or higher, and even more preferably 0.05% by volume or higher, from the viewpoint of simplifying or eliminating the raw material purification process. Within the above range, it is possible to efficiently produce isopropanol while suppressing the inhibition of the acetone hydrogenation reaction activity by carbon dioxide and simplifying the purification of the reaction raw materials. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the raw material gas is preferably 20% by volume or less, more preferably 5% by volume or less, and even more preferably 1% by volume or less.

[0040] The concentration of acetone in the raw material gas is preferably 2% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less, more preferably 5% by volume or more and 45% by volume or less, and even more preferably 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less. Note that the above is the concentration typically supplied to the catalyst layer (i.e., the concentration at which acetone, etc., is vaporized).

[0041] The ratio of hydrogen concentration to acetone concentration in the raw material gas is preferably 1.1 to 5, and more preferably 1.2 to 3. If the ratio of hydrogen concentration to acetone concentration in the raw material gas is less than 1.1, the acetone conversion rate tends to decrease. If the ratio of hydrogen concentration to acetone concentration in the raw material gas exceeds 5, side reactions such as the hydrocracking reaction of isopropanol tend to proceed more easily. The raw material gas is optional, but may include inert gases such as nitrogen or helium. The raw material gas can be any gas, but may include water, methane, carbon monoxide, etc. However, since carbon monoxide tends to be adsorbed onto the active metal of the acetone hydrogenation catalyst and reduce the acetone hydrogenation activity, it is preferable that the concentration of carbon monoxide in the raw material gas be less than 20 ppm by volume.

[0042] <Acetone Hydrogenation Process> The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure includes a step of hydrogenating acetone (hereinafter also referred to as the acetone hydrogenation step). The acetone hydrogenation step is carried out in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table. The catalyst described in this disclosure above is a preferred example of a catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table. One or more catalysts containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table may be used. When two or more catalysts containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table are used, they may be used in a mixed form, packed in a tandem structure, or packed separately into two or more reactors.

[0043] The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure may also be used in combination with a catalyst other than one containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, such as a known acetone hydrogenation catalyst.

[0044] The acetone hydrogenation process is preferably carried out by a gas-phase reaction. The reaction format by the gas-phase reaction is not particularly limited and can include fixed bed, moving bed, and fluidized bed, but the simpler fixed bed format is preferred.

[0045] In the acetone hydrogenation step, the reaction pressure is preferably 0.1 MPa to 2 MPa, and more preferably 0.1 MPa to 1.0 MPa.

[0046] The reaction temperature in the acetone hydrogenation step is preferably 20°C to 200°C, and more preferably 25°C to 150°C. Lower reaction temperatures are advantageous in equilibrium, but hydrogenation tends to be less likely to proceed. On the other hand, higher reaction temperatures tend to result in a lower acetone hydrogenation conversion rate due to equilibrium constraints, and in addition, hydrocracking of acetone and isopropanol occurs concurrently, leading to a decrease in yield.

[0047] The space velocity in the acetone hydrogenation process is preferably 200 to 50,000 (1 / h), more preferably 1,000 to 20,000 (1 / h), and even more preferably 2,000 to 10,000 (1 / h).

[0048] The acetone hydrogenation process includes a step of hydrogenating acetone in a reactor that includes a catalyst layer to supply the raw material gas, as described in the raw material gas supply process. If two or more reactors are used in the acetone hydrogenation process, at least one of them should be a reactor that includes a catalyst layer to supply the raw material gas, as described in the raw material gas supply process.

[0049] <Other processes> The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure may include any steps other than the raw material gas supply step and the acetone hydrogenation step (hereinafter also referred to as "other steps").

[0050] (Acetone manufacturing process) The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure may include a step of reacting ethanol with water in the presence of a catalyst to obtain acetone (hereinafter also referred to as the acetone production step). Preferably, part or all of the ethanol is bioethanol.

[0051] The catalyst used in the acetone production process is not particularly limited, but it should contain various metal elements, preferably alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, aluminum, zirconium, and other elements. Among these, it is preferable to contain iron from the viewpoint of catalytic activity. More preferably, it is preferable to contain iron (Fe) and one or more metals (Me) selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn).

[0052] The state of the metal element contained in the catalyst used in the acetone production process is not particularly limited, and examples include a metal oxide containing the metal element, a carrier containing the metal element, and a carrier supporting the metal element. The metal oxide may be supported on a carrier. The metal oxide may be a composite metal oxide. Examples of composite metal oxides include spinel type, perovskite type, magnetoprumbite type, and garnet type, but spinel type is preferred.

[0053] Examples of catalysts used in the aforementioned acetone production process include iron composite oxides (sometimes called ferrites), represented by the general formula MeO·nFe2O3 (where Me represents one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Mn, and Zn, and n represents an integer from 1 to 6).

[0054] The catalyst used in the acetone production process preferably contains 0.4 to 0.7 moles, more preferably 0.4 to 0.6 moles, and even more preferably 0.45 to 0.55 moles, of one or more metals (Me) selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc, per mole of iron. Within this range, catalytic activity tends to improve.

[0055] The catalyst used in the acetone production process preferably contains 0.01 to 1 mole of zirconium per mole of iron, more preferably 0.1 to 0.8 moles, and even more preferably 0.2 to 0.6 moles. Using this range tends to improve durability.

[0056] The catalyst used in the acetone production process preferably contains one or more metals (Me) selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc, iron, and zirconium in a total amount of 50 to 100% by mass, and more preferably 80 to 100% by mass, relative to 100% by mass of the catalyst.

[0057] In the aforementioned acetone production process, a reaction product containing acetone, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide can be obtained by contacting the raw materials, ethanol and water, with a catalyst. The reaction equation is as follows: 2C2H5OH+H2O → CH3COCH3+4H2+CO2 The acetone production process may be carried out in a batch manner, but from the viewpoint of productivity, it is preferable to carry it out in a continuous manner. The acetone production process may be carried out as a liquid-phase reaction, but it is preferable to carry it out as a gas-phase reaction. Examples of gas-phase reaction forms include fixed bed, moving bed, and fluidized bed, but the simpler fixed bed form is preferred. In the case of a fixed bed form, the raw material gas may be a mixture of gaseous ethanol and gaseous water (sometimes called water vapor) supplied to the reactor and brought into contact with the catalyst, or gaseous ethanol and water vapor may be supplied to the reactor separately and brought into contact with the catalyst. The raw material gas may contain inert gases such as nitrogen and helium. Here, the raw material gas includes all gases supplied to the reactor.

[0058] In the acetone production process described above, the ethanol concentration in the raw material gas is preferably 3 to 66 mol%, and more preferably 5 to 50 mol%. The molar ratio of water to ethanol in the raw material gas is preferably 0.5 to 10, and more preferably 1 to 5.

[0059] In the aforementioned acetone production process, the ethanol used as the raw material gas is not particularly limited. Examples include ethanol obtained by the hydration reaction of ethylene, and bioethanol made from biomass raw materials, such as sugar-based materials like sugarcane, starch-based materials like grains, and cellulose-based materials like plants.

[0060] In the acetone production process described above, it is preferable that the ethanol used as the raw material gas contains bioethanol. The bioethanol content in 100% by mass of ethanol is more preferably 50% by mass or more, even more preferably 75% by mass or more, and even more preferably 90% by mass or more.

[0061] In the acetone production process described above, the reaction pressure can be reduced, atmospheric, or pressurized, but is preferably 0.07 MPa to 0.2 MPa, more preferably 0.1 MPa to 0.15 MPa. The reaction temperature is preferably 250 to 600°C, more preferably 300 to 550°C, and even more preferably 330 to 500°C. The space velocity is preferably 300 to 10000 (1 / h), more preferably 400 to 8000 (1 / h), and even more preferably 500 to 6000 (1 / h).

[0062] (Acetone purification process) When carrying out the hydrogenation reaction of acetone, using a catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table tends to suppress the inhibition of activity by carbon dioxide even in the presence of carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is not always necessary to purify the acetone or hydrogen used as raw materials for the hydrogenation reaction of acetone. However, the method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure may include a step of separating and / or purifying acetone (hereinafter also referred to as the acetone purification step).

[0063] The acetone purification process may be carried out by known gas-liquid separation methods, etc. For example, the composition obtained in the acetone production process may be separated into a gas mainly composed of hydrogen or carbon dioxide and a liquid mixture mainly composed of acetone (sometimes called gas-liquid separation). The acetone purification process may include a step of distilling acetone.

[0064] (Hydrogen purification process) The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure may include a hydrogen purification step (hereinafter also referred to as the hydrogen purification step). The hydrogen purification step is not particularly limited, but known methods such as physical absorption, chemical absorption, membrane separation, cryogenic separation, and compression liquefaction can be employed.

[0065] Physical absorption methods involve removing carbon dioxide through physical means such as adsorption and dissolution, without the need for chemical reactions. This method involves separating and recovering gases from a mixed gas using a particular method, and is particularly preferred to use PSA (Pressur One example is the Swing Adsorption method. Chemical absorption mainly involves reacting carbon dioxide with basic substances such as amines or alkalis to convert it into a form such as bicarbonate, which is then absorbed. By heating or reducing the pressure of the absorbent solution, the carbon dioxide is separated and recovered as a gas from the absorbent solution. For membrane separation, a method using a separation membrane that selectively permeates hydrogen or carbon dioxide is preferred. The membrane used at this time is not particularly limited, but examples include polymer material membranes, dendrimer membranes, amine group-containing membranes, and inorganic material membranes such as zeolite membranes. The separation membrane may also contain metal atoms. The metal atoms are not particularly limited, but examples include Pd. These methods may be carried out individually or in combination of two or more.

[0066] For example, after separating acetone from the composition obtained in the acetone manufacturing process, carbon dioxide may be separated from the composition containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

[0067] (Isopropanol purification process) The method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure may include a step for purifying isopropanol. For example, if the composition obtained in the acetone hydrogenation step is a gas-liquid mixture containing gas, it may be separated into a gas mainly composed of gas, such as hydrogen, and a liquid mixture containing isopropanol by a known gas-liquid separation method. Here, gas refers to a substance that exists as a gas under the pressurized and cooled conditions in the gas-liquid separation operation. In the isopropanol purification step, the pressure in the gas-liquid separation operation is preferably 0.1 MPa to 2 MPa, and more preferably 0.2 MPa to 1 MPa. In the isopropanol purification step, the temperature in the gas-liquid separation operation is preferably 0°C to 50°C, and more preferably 5°C to 40°C.

[0068] The purification process for isopropanol may include a distillation step. The distillation step may be carried out by, for example, thin-film distillation or rectification. It may be a continuous or batch process. The distillation step may be azeotropic distillation. Since isopropanol forms an azeotropic mixture with water, if the liquid mixture containing isopropanol contains water, high-purity isopropanol can be obtained by azeotropic distillation.

[0069] (Catalyst regeneration process) In the method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure, if a change in catalyst activity is observed, a step for regenerating the catalyst may be included. The method of regeneration is not particularly limited, but it can be done by contacting it with an oxidizing gas such as oxygen at a high temperature. For example, if the raw material gas is supplied to a fixed-bed reactor, the raw material gas may be changed to an oxidizing gas, or the catalyst may be removed from the reactor and regenerated.

[0070] <Examples of preferred forms of methods for producing isopropanol> The following (10) to (14) are examples of preferred embodiments of the method for producing isopropanol according to the present disclosure. (10) A step of supplying a raw material gas containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone to a catalyst layer containing a catalyst that contains at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, A method for producing isopropanol, comprising a step of hydrogenating acetone. (11) The method for producing isopropanol according to (10), wherein the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the raw material gas is 0.01 volume% or more, preferably 0.02 volume% or more, and more preferably 0.05 volume% or more. (12) The method for producing isopropanol according to (10) or (11), wherein the carbon dioxide concentration in the raw material gas is 20% by volume or less, preferably 5% by volume or less, and more preferably 1% by volume or less. (13) A method for producing isopropanol according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the catalyst is the acetone hydrogenation catalyst described in any one of (1) to (8) above. (14) A method for producing isopropanol according to any one of (10) to (13), further comprising the acetone production step.

[0071] [Uses of Isopropanol] The isopropanol obtained by the method for producing isopropanol according to this disclosure can be used, for example, as a raw material for the production of acrylic acid. The isopropanol may be used directly as a raw material for the production of acrylic acid, or it may be dehydrated with a dehydrating catalyst such as alumina to obtain propylene, and then acrylic acid may be produced using an acrylic acid production catalyst. [Examples]

[0072] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples, nor is it restricted by these examples.

[0073] <Catalyst Preparation Example 1> 0.49 g of dinitrodiammineplatinum nitrate solution (manufactured by Tanaka Kikinzoku Co., Ltd., Pt content 8.19% by mass) was weighed into a beaker, and pure water was added to prepare a platinum-containing aqueous solution. 4 g of ZrO2 powder (manufactured by Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku Co., Ltd., EP-L, specific surface area 10² m²) was placed in a magnetic dish. 2 The platinum-containing aqueous solution was added to ( / g), and the water was evaporated by heating while stirring with a glass rod. The resulting powder was dried at 120°C for 10 hours, and then calcined at 400°C for 1 hour to prepare reference catalyst 1. The composition of the obtained reference catalyst 1 was 1 mass% Pt / ZrO2 (i.e., 99 mass% ZrO2 for every 1 mass% Pt).

[0074] <Catalyst Preparation Example 2> 30 g of copper nitrate trihydrate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade), 18 g of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade), and 12.1 g of aluminum nitrate hexahydrate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) were dissolved in 300 mL of pure water (Solution A). 52.5 g of sodium carbonate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) was dissolved in 300 mL of pure water (Solution B). Solutions A and B were added dropwise at a constant rate to a beaker containing 750 mL of pure water at room temperature under stirring to form a precipitate. After filtering and washing the precipitate, it was dried at 120 °C for 10 hours and calcined at 300 °C for 4 hours to prepare Reference Catalyst 2. The composition of the obtained Reference Catalyst 2 was 60% CuO / 30% ZnO / 10% Al2O3.

[0075] <Catalyst Preparation Example 3> Catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 1, except that 0.49 g of dinitrodiammineplatinum nitric acid solution in Catalyst Preparation Example 1 was replaced with 5.37 g of ruthenium nitrate solution (manufactured by Tanaka Kikinzoku Co., Ltd., Ru content 3.92% by mass). The composition of the obtained Catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was 5% by mass Ru / ZrO2 (i.e., 95% by mass ZrO2 for every 5% by mass Ru).

[0076] <Catalyst Preparation Example 4> Catalyst 4 of the present disclosure was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 1, except that 0.49 g of dinitrodiammineplatinum nitric acid solution in Catalyst Preparation Example 1 was replaced with 11.3 g of ruthenium nitrate solution (manufactured by Tanaka Kikinzoku Co., Ltd., Ru content 3.92% by mass). The composition of the obtained Catalyst 4 of the present disclosure was 10% by mass Ru / ZrO2 (i.e., 90% by mass ZrO2 for every 10% by mass Ru).

[0077] <Catalyst Preparation Example 5> Reference catalyst 5 was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 1, except that 0.49 g of dinitrodiammineplatinic acid solution in Catalyst Preparation Example 1 was replaced with 1.24 g of nickel nitrate hexahydrate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade). The composition of the obtained reference catalyst 5 was 5.9 mass% Ni / ZrO2 (i.e., 5.9 mass% Ni and 94.1 mass% ZrO2).

[0078] <Catalyst Preparation Example 6> Reference catalyst 6 was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 1, except that 0.49 g of dinitrodiammineplatinum nitric acid solution in Catalyst Preparation Example 1 was replaced with 0.36 g of nickel nitrate hexahydrate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) and 0.49 g of dinitrodiammineplatinum nitric acid solution (Tanaka Kikinzoku Co., Ltd., Pt content 8.19% by mass). The composition of the obtained reference catalyst 6 was 1.8% by mass Ni - 1% by mass Pt / ZrO2 (i.e., ZrO2 was 97.2% by mass).

[0079] <Catalyst Preparation Example 7> 1.10 g of nickel nitrate hexahydrate (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) and 5.67 g of ruthenium nitrate solution (Tanaka Kikinzoku Co., Ltd., Ru content 3.92% by mass) were weighed out, and pure water was added to prepare a mixed aqueous solution containing nickel and ruthenium. 4 g of ZrO2 powder (Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku Co., Ltd., EP-L, specific surface area 10² m²) was placed in a magnetic dish. 2 The mixed aqueous solution was added to ( / g), and the water was evaporated by heating while stirring with a glass rod. The resulting powder was dried at 120°C for 10 hours, and then calcined at 400°C for 1 hour to prepare catalyst 7 of the present disclosure. The composition of the obtained catalyst 7 of the present disclosure was 5 mass% Ni - 5 mass% Ru / ZrO2 (i.e., ZrO2 was 90 mass%).

[0080] <Catalyst Preparation Example 8> Catalyst preparation example 7: ZrO2 powder (EP-L, manufactured by Daiichi Rare Elements Chemical Co., Ltd., specific surface area 10² m²) 2 ( / g) ZrO2 powder (Daiichi Rare Elements Chemical Co., Ltd. RC-100, specific surface area 118 m²) 2 Catalyst 8 of the present disclosure was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 7, except that it was changed to ( / g). The composition of the obtained Catalyst 8 of the present disclosure was 5 mass% Ni - 5 mass% Ru / ZrO2 (i.e., ZrO2 was 90 mass%).

[0081] <Catalyst Preparation Example 9> Catalyst preparation example 7: ZrO2 powder (EP-L, manufactured by Daiichi Rare Elements Chemical Co., Ltd., specific surface area 10² m²) 2 ( / g) CeO2 powder (Rhodia 3CO, specific surface area 171 m²) 2Catalyst 9 of the present disclosure was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 7, except that it was changed to ( / g). The composition of the obtained catalyst 9 of the present disclosure was 5 mass% Ni–5 mass% Ru / CeO2 (i.e., CeO2 was 90 mass%).

[0082] <Catalyst Preparation Example 10> Catalyst preparation example 7: ZrO2 powder (EP-L, manufactured by Daiichi Rare Elements Chemical Co., Ltd., specific surface area 10² m²) 2 ( / g) is used to make SiO2 powder (Cariact Q-6 manufactured by Fuji Silysia Chemical Co., Ltd., with a specific surface area of ​​113 m²). 2 Catalyst 10 of the present disclosure was prepared in the same manner as in Catalyst Preparation Example 7, except that the ratio was changed to / g). The composition of the obtained catalyst 10 of the present disclosure was 5 mass% Ni - 5 mass% Ru / SiO2 (i.e., SiO2 was 90 mass%).

[0083] <Example 1> Reference catalyst 1 (0.35g) was packed into a stainless steel fixed-bed flow reactor, and nitrogen (N2) was supplied at 26cm³. 3 / min (flow rate at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm) and hydrogen (H2) 15cm³ 3 Pretreatment was carried out at 300°C for 1 hour while flowing a gas stream of / min (at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). Next, after setting the reaction temperature, a mixed gas stream of nitrogen and hydrogen was introduced into a bubbler containing pure water at 25°C to entrain water vapor equivalent to saturated water vapor. To the mixed gas stream of nitrogen, hydrogen, and water exiting the bubbler, acetone (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) was added at a rate of 19.4 mg / min using a microsyringe feeder to initiate the isopropanol production reaction by acetone hydrogenation in the absence of carbon dioxide. The reactor outlet gas was introduced into a trap placed in an ice bath, where unreacted raw materials and products were collected. The liquid components collected in the trap were quantitatively analyzed using GC-FID (Agilent 7890B / capillary column HP-plot Q). Gaseous products not collected in the trap were directly introduced into GC-FID and analyzed. From these analytical results, the acetone conversion rate and isopropanol selectivity were calculated using the following formulas. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 1. Conversion rate (%) = 100 - (Outlet acetone molar flow rate / Inlet acetone molar flow rate) Selectivity (%) = 100 × [Molar flow rate of produced isopropanol / (Molar flow rate of inlet acetone × conversion rate)]

[0084] <Example 2> Reference catalyst 1 (0.35g) was packed into a stainless steel fixed-bed flow reactor, and nitrogen (N2) 25.5cm³ was added. 3 / min (flow rate at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm) and hydrogen (H2) 15cm³ 3 The mixture was pretreated at 300°C for 1 hour while flowing a current of 0.5 cm³ / min (at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). Subsequently, after setting the reaction temperature, 0.5 cm³ of carbon dioxide (CO2) was added. 3 A mixed gas stream consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide was prepared by adding a flow rate of 1 / min (at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). This mixed gas stream was introduced into a bubbler containing pure water at 25°C to entrain water vapor equivalent to saturated water vapor. To the mixed gas stream of nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and water exiting the bubbler, acetone (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) was added at a rate of 19.4 mg / min using a microsyringe feeder to initiate the isopropanol production reaction by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide. The reactor outlet gas was analyzed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 1.

[0085] [Table 1]

[0086] The results in Table 1 show that the effect of coexisting carbon dioxide on the acetone hydrogenation reaction at 100°C using 1% by mass Pt / ZrO2 as a catalyst was investigated. Under gaseous conditions without carbon dioxide, an acetone conversion rate of 90% was obtained, but when 1% by volume of carbon dioxide was present, the acetone conversion rate decreased to 24.7%. This indicates that the acetone hydrogenation activity of the 1% by mass Pt / ZrO2 catalyst is significantly inhibited by coexisting carbon dioxide.

[0087] <Example 3> Reference catalyst 2 (0.7g) was packed into a stainless steel fixed-bed flow reactor, and nitrogen (N2) was supplied at 55cm³. 3 / min (flow rate at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm) and hydrogen (H2) 30cm³ 3 Pretreatment was performed at 250°C for 1 hour while flowing a gas at a rate of / min (standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). Subsequently, after setting the reaction temperature, the isopropanol production reaction by acetone hydrogenation in the absence of carbon dioxide was initiated by adding acetone (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) at a rate of 38.8 mg / min via a microsyringe feeder to a mixed gas stream consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 2.

[0088] <Example 4> Reference catalyst 2 (0.7g) was packed into a stainless steel fixed-bed flow reactor, and nitrogen (N2) was supplied at 42cm³. 3 / min (flow rate at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm) and hydrogen (H2) 30cm³ 3 The mixture was pretreated at 250°C for 1 hour while flowing carbon dioxide (CO2) at a rate of / min (standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). Then, after setting the reaction temperature, 13.5 cm³ of carbon dioxide (CO2) was added. 3 A mixed gas stream consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide was prepared by adding acetone (at a flow rate of 0°C and 1 atm) per minute (standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). To this mixed gas stream, acetone (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) was added at a rate of 38.8 mg / min using a microsyringe feeder to initiate the isopropanol production reaction by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 2.

[0089] [Table 2]

[0090] The results in Table 2 show that the effect of coexisting carbon dioxide on the acetone hydrogenation reaction at 100°C using a catalyst of 60% CuO / 30% ZnO / 10% Al2O3 was investigated. Under gaseous conditions without carbon dioxide, an acetone conversion rate of 67.8% was obtained. However, when 13.4% by volume of carbon dioxide was present, the acetone conversion rate decreased to 5.0%, and the isopropanol selectivity also plummeted to 1%. This indicates that the acetone hydrogenation activity of the 60% CuO / 30% ZnO / 10% Al2O3 catalyst is significantly inhibited by coexisting carbon dioxide.

[0091] <Example 5> Catalyst 3 (0.35 g) of the present disclosure is packed into a stainless steel fixed-bed flow reactor, and nitrogen (N2) is supplied at 20 cm³. 3 / min (flow rate at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm) and hydrogen (H2) 15cm³ 3 The mixture was pre-treated at 300°C for 1 hour while flowing at a rate of / min (standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). Subsequently, after setting the reaction temperature, 7.5 cm³ of carbon dioxide (CO2) was added. 3 A mixed gas stream consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide was prepared by adding a flow rate of 1 / min (at standard conditions: 0°C, 1 atm). This mixed gas stream was introduced into a bubbler containing pure water at 25°C to entrain water vapor equivalent to saturated water vapor. To the mixed gas stream consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and water exiting the bubbler, acetone (Nacalai Tesque, special grade) was added at a rate of 19.4 mg / min using a microsyringe feeder to initiate the isopropanol production reaction by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0092] <Example 6> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was started in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was replaced with catalyst 4 of the present disclosure. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0093] <Example 7> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was initiated in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 in this disclosure was replaced with reference 5. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0094] <Example 8> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was initiated in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 of this disclosure was replaced with reference catalyst 6. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0095] <Example 9> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was started in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was replaced with catalyst 7 of the present disclosure. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0096] <Example 10> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was started in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was replaced with catalyst 8 of the present disclosure. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0097] <Example 11> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was started in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was replaced with catalyst 9 of the present disclosure. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0098] <Example 12> The reaction for producing isopropanol by acetone hydrogenation in the presence of carbon dioxide was started in the same manner as in Experimental Example 5, except that catalyst 3 of the present disclosure was replaced with catalyst 10 of the present disclosure. The reaction results obtained at an electric furnace temperature of 100°C are shown in Table 3.

[0099] [Table 3]

[0100] Even under conditions of coexisting carbon dioxide at 15% by volume, catalyst 3 (5% Ru / ZrO2) of this disclosure, which contains 5% by mass of ruthenium, a metal component belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, yielded an acetone conversion rate of 55.1%. With catalyst 4 (10% Ru / ZrO2) of this disclosure, in which the ruthenium loading was increased to 10% by mass, the acetone conversion rate increased to 69.0%. On the other hand, reference catalyst 5 (5.9 mass% Ni / ZrO2), which contains only nickel, a metal component belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table, at 5.9 mass%, showed a low acetone conversion rate of 14.7%. The acetone conversion rate of reference catalyst 6, which contained 1.8% by mass of nickel and 1% by mass of platinum, both belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table, was also insufficient at 40.6%.

[0101] Catalyst 7 of this disclosure, in which ruthenium belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table and nickel belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table are each supported on 5 mass% ZrO2(EP-L), exhibited superior acetone hydrogenation activity compared to catalyst 3 of this disclosure, which is supported only 5 mass% ruthenium, and reference catalyst 5, which is supported only 5.9 mass% nickel, with an acetone conversion rate of 66.8%. High acetone conversion rates were also obtained with catalysts 8, 9, and 10 of this disclosure, in which the ruthenium and nickel support amounts were fixed at 5 mass% each, and the support materials were ZrO2(RC-100), CeO2, and SiO2, respectively.

[0102] From the above, it can be seen that by using the catalyst of this disclosure, acetone hydrogenation can be effectively promoted without being significantly affected by the adverse effects of carbon dioxide, even when it is present in the reaction gas.

Claims

1. An acetone hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating acetone in the presence of carbon dioxide, comprising at least one metallic element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table.

2. The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to claim 1, further comprising at least one metal element belonging to Group 10 of the periodic table.

3. The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to claim 1 or 2, comprising 0.2 to 20% by mass of a metal element.

4. The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an oxide of a metal belonging to a group other than Group 8 and Group 10 of the periodic table.

5. The acetone hydrogenation catalyst according to claim 2, wherein the metallic element selected from Group 8 of the periodic table is ruthenium, and the metallic element selected from Group 10 of the periodic table is nickel and / or platinum.

6. A process of supplying a raw material gas containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and acetone to a catalyst layer containing a catalyst containing at least one metal element belonging to Group 8 of the periodic table, The process of hydrogenating acetone, A method for producing isopropanol containing [the specified ingredient].

7. A method for producing isopropanol according to claim 6, wherein the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the raw material gas is 0.01% by volume or more.

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