Copper-Composite Catalyst for Biomass Conversion Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Copper-based catalysts used in the catalytic conversion of biomass to alcohols and fuels suffer from thermal deactivation due to sintering, limiting their effectiveness and lifespan in the process of converting biomass to liquid fuels.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), oxygen, and an element such as magnesium, cerium, or a transition metal, with specific molar ratios and incorporated into an oxide, is used to enhance catalyst stability and activity, allowing for higher alcohol yields and improved fuel production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If copper-based catalysts are used for catalytic conversion of biomass to alcohols and fuels, then cost-effectiveness and activity are improved, but thermal stability and lifespan deteriorate due to sintering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite oxide materials combining copper with aluminum and at least one additional element (magnesium, cerium, or transition metal) to create a catalyst that maintains copper's cost-effectiveness and activity while gaining thermal stability from the composite structure. The specific molar ratios ((Cu+M):Al between 0.1:1 and 30:1, and Cu:M between 0.1:4 and 20:1) are optimized to balance cost, activity, and resistance to thermal sintering.
2Productivity
If copper-based catalysts are used for catalytic conversion, then activity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but catalyst lifespan deteriorates due to thermal deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The composite oxide structure combines copper's high catalytic activity with the thermal stability of aluminum and additional elements, allowing the catalyst to maintain its activity over extended periods. The specific composition ratios ensure that copper remains highly active while the composite structure prevents thermal deactivation that would otherwise limit catalyst lifespan.
3Productivity
If higher copper content is used to improve activity, then catalytic activity increases, but thermal stability decreases due to increased sintering tendency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the copper content within specific molar ratio ranges ((Cu+M):Al between 0.1:1 and 30:1, and Cu:M between 0.1:4 and 20:1) to achieve sufficient catalytic activity while limiting the copper amount that would cause excessive sintering. The composite oxide structure provides a stable matrix that disperses copper particles, maintaining activity at lower copper loadings while enhancing thermal stability.
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 composition significantly increases the stability and activity of the catalyst, achieving higher alcohol yields and producing fuels with optimal fuel properties, such as higher energy density and improved selectivity to C4-C7 alcohols, while maintaining the use of abundant and cost-effective copper as the active metal.
Implementation Method 1
Tandem solvolytic (i.e., solvent processing for chemical bond cleavage and chemical bond formation with solubilization) and catalytic conversion of biomass in supercritical methanol
Implementation Method 2
conversion of biomass and other carbonaceous materials to alcohols and fuels using a composition and supercritical methanol
Implementation Method 3
H2 generated from methanol reforming as a reducing agent for the hydrodeoxygenation of sugar oligomers to C2-C6 mixed oxygenates
Implementation Method 4
hydrodeoxygenation of sugar oligomers to C2-C6 mixed oxygenates with up to 70% selectivity to aliphatic (i.e. non-aromatic) alcohols
Implementation Method 5
copper-based catalysts can suffer from deactivation, predominantly by thermal sintering
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), oxygen, and an element (M) that includes at least one of magnesium, cerium, and/or a transition metal, where the copper and the element are present at a first molar ratio relative to the aluminum between about 0.1:1 and about 30:1 ((Cu+M):Al), and the copper and the element are present at a second molar ratio between about 0.1:4 and about 20:1 (Cu:M).