Conductive Catalyst Pretreatment for Fluidized Bed Electrostatic Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fluidized bed reactions using zeolite and silica catalysts, static electrical charges cause catalyst deposition on reactor walls, leading to reduced flowability and increased catalyst loss, especially in scale-up reactors.

Innovation Solution

A pretreatment step is implemented to convert a non-conductive zeolite and silica catalyst into a conductive form by depositing carbonaceous coke, reducing electrostatic charging and deposition rates, and optimizing gas flow rates to maintain catalyst fluidization and mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-conductive catalyst containing zeolite and silica is used in a fluidized bed reaction, then the catalyst exhibits good catalytic activity, but electrostatic charging occurs due to friction causing catalyst deposition on reactor walls and reduced flowability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidelectrostatic charging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A conductive substance (carbonaceous material, metal, or metal oxide) is introduced as an intermediary component on the catalyst surface. This intermediary layer acts as a charge conductor, allowing electrostatic charges to dissipate and preventing catalyst particles from adhering to reactor walls, while maintaining the underlying zeolite's catalytic function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst is transformed into a composite material by combining non-conductive zeolite/silica components with conductive additives (carbon, metal, or metal oxide). This composite structure integrates both the catalytic properties of zeolite and the electrostatic dissipation properties of conductive materials, resolving the contradiction between catalytic activity and electrostatic charging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the gas flow rate is increased to maintain catalyst fluidization, then catalyst mixing is improved, but electrostatic charging and deposition are exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst fluidizationVSAvoidcatalyst deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The friction-induced electrostatic charging, which was previously harmful, is converted into a beneficial effect. The conductive substance on the catalyst surface allows the generated charges to be rapidly dissipated, transforming the harmful static charge accumulation into a controlled charge dissipation process that prevents deposition while maintaining fluidization benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively suppresses electrostatic charging and catalyst deposition, ensuring stable and efficient fluidized bed reactions with improved catalyst retention and reaction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

supplying a heated hydrocarbon gas to the fluidized bed reactor and bringing it into contact with the non-conductive catalyst in the fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of 300 to 650 °C under a pressure of 0.01 to 3.0 MPa·G to precipitate carbonaceous coke and deposit it on the non-conductive catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbon deposition (coking): Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a pretreatment step of obtaining a conductive catalyst by charging a fluidized bed reactor comprising a feed gas supply pipe (2), a product gas pipe (8) downstream of the reactor, a catalytic bed (9), a differential pressure gage (6) and cyclones (4, 5) with a non-conductive catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 3

a pretreatment step of obtaining a conductive catalyst by charging a fluidized bed reactor comprising a feed gas supply pipe (2), a product gas pipe (8) downstream of the reactor, a catalytic bed (9), a differential pressure gage (6) and cyclones (4, 5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2883604B1Olefin or alcohol conversion method and method for producing propylene or aromatic compound
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ASAHI KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • EP2883604B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2883604B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2883604B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for converting an olefin or an alcohol has a pretreatment step of obtaining a conductive catalyst by a pretreatment for suppressing electrostatic charging of a non-conductive catalyst and a step of converting an olefin or an alcohol by a fluidized bed reaction using the conductive catalyst.