Ammoxidation Catalyst Preparation via pH-Controlled Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing ammoxidation catalysts struggle to achieve significant improvements in acrylonitrile yield, despite variations in metal composition and catalyst preparation steps.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of a precursor slurry with specific pH ranges and mixing times, followed by drying and calcination, to produce an ammoxidation catalyst with a composition represented by Mo12BiaFebXcYdZeOf, where X, Y, and Z are additional elements, and the catalyst is supported on silica, enhancing acrylonitrile selectivity and yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If metal composition is varied to improve acrylonitrile yield, then catalyst activity improves, but further improvement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacrylonitrile yieldVSAvoidcatalyst performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the preparation parameters of the catalyst, specifically controlling the pH during mixing (maintaining pH 2-4) and the mixing time (1-70 seconds), rather than varying the metal composition. This parameter control enables continued improvement in acrylonitrile yield by optimizing the physical and chemical state of the catalyst during preparation, resolving the plateau effect observed with composition variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If mixing time is extended to ensure homogeneous catalyst composition, then composition uniformity improves, but aggregation of metal particles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst composition uniformityVSAvoidparticle size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuous mixing at a controlled speed throughout the addition of solutions, ensuring homogeneous distribution of metal components. The mixing continues for a specific duration (1-70 seconds) to achieve uniform composition without excessive aggregation, balancing composition uniformity with particle size control through optimized continuous action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the mixing time parameter (1-70 seconds) and pH parameter (2-4) to achieve the desired balance between composition uniformity and particle aggregation. By controlling these parameters, the patent prevents excessive aggregation while ensuring homogeneous catalyst composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If pH is adjusted to optimize catalyst formation, then acrylonitrile selectivity improves, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacrylonitrile selectivityVSAvoidpH control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the natural pH change that occurs during the mixing process (pH passes through 2-4) and maintains this range through simple buffer solutions or controlled addition rates. This approach achieves high acrylonitrile selectivity without requiring complex pH control systems, as the pH control is achieved through straightforward chemical means rather than sophisticated instrumentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method results in a high acrylonitrile yield and improved propylene activity in the ammoxidation reaction, with the catalyst exhibiting high selectivity and stability due to controlled aggregation of metal and silica particles.

Implementation Method 1

a drying step of obtaining a dry particle from the precursor slurry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a calcination step of calcining the dry particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the time during which a pH of a mixture passes through a particular range having an upper limit and a lower limit while the second solution or slurry is mixed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAggregation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentEP3450018B1Production method for ammoxidation catalyst and production method for acrylonitrile
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 ASAHI KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • EP3450018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450018B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450018B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for producing an ammoxidation catalyst, comprising: a step of preparing a precursor slurry that is a precursor of the catalyst; a drying step of obtaining a dry particle from the precursor slurry; and a calcination step of calcining the dry particle, wherein the step of preparing the precursor slurry is a step of mixing a first solution or slurry having a first pH and a second solution or slurry to obtain a solution or slurry having a second pH after completion of mixing, a time during which a pH of a mixture passes through a particular range having an upper limit and a lower limit while the second solution or slurry is mixed is 1-70 seconds, he upper limit and the lower limit being designated as a third pH and a fourth pH respectively, and the third pH and the fourth pH are set between the first pH and the second pH.