Basic Metal Oxide Catalyst for Stable Pyrolysis Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pyrolysis liquid products from biomass materials exhibit instability due to polymerization reactions, particularly between formaldehyde and phenol, leading to increased viscosity and challenges in transportation and long-term storage.
Innovation Solution
Pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of a basic metal oxide catalyst, specifically comprising metals from Group 2, Group 3 (including Lanthanides and Actinides), and Group 4 of the Periodic Table, which has a measurable uptake of carbon dioxide at 100° C, to produce pyrolysis products with higher alcohol content and lower aldehyde concentration, enhancing stability and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pyrolysis is performed to produce liquid products from biomass materials, then vapor and liquid products are generated, but the products exhibit instability due to polymerization reactions causing increased viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the pyrolysis products by controlling the reaction conditions and using specific catalysts to produce products with lower aldehyde content and higher alcohol content, which are more stable and less prone to polymerization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the formation of stable pyrolysis products. The catalyst mediates the chemical reactions to produce products with improved stability and reduced viscosity
2Ease of manufacture
If heating is applied to the pyrolysis liquids to process them, then the liquids can be processed, but the polymerization reactions are accelerated leading to increased viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition to have lower aldehyde content and higher alcohol content, which fundamentally alters the chemical reactivity and reduces the tendency to undergo polymerization reactions during heating processes
3Productivity
If conventional pyrolysis is used, then liquid products are produced, but the products have high aldehyde concentration which contributes to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically changes the compositional parameters of the pyrolysis products by controlling reaction conditions and using specific catalysts to achieve lower aldehyde content and higher alcohol content in the final products
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 produces pyrolysis products that are more stable and of higher quality, with increased alcohol content and reduced aldehyde levels, enabling wider end-use applications and improved storage and transportation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the basic metal oxide catalyst has an uptake of carbon dioxide at 100° C. of at least 0.03 mg/m2 of the basic metal oxide catalyst
Implementation Method 2
pyrolysis is a thermal degradation process in which large molecules are broken or cracked into smaller molecules in the presence of little if any oxygen
Implementation Method 3
Heating the liquids (i.e., the condensed pyrolysis liquids) accelerates the polymerization reactions, in particular the reaction between formaldehyde and phenol
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides pyrolysis products that have greater stability than pyrolysis products obtained from conventional pyrolysis production processes. The invention involves pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of a basic metal oxide catalyst to produce a pyrolysis product. The pyrolysis product of the present invention can advantageously be particularly high in alcohol content.