Copper-Zinc Alloy Catalyst for Heavy Aldehyde Hydrogenation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gas-phase aldehyde hydrogenation catalysts, primarily copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) catalysts, are inadequate for efficiently converting heavy aldehydes, such as 2-propyl-heptaldehyde, with low conversion rates and limited research in this area.

Innovation Solution

A preparation method involving mixing aluminum salts, zinc salts, silica sol, and copper salts with ultrasonic treatment and aging processes to form a copper-zinc alloy catalyst, enhanced with boric acid and graphite, which improves catalytic activity and stability, enabling high conversion rates of heavy aldehydes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional Cu-Zn catalysts are used for heavy aldehyde hydrogenation, then the catalyst structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the conversion rate of heavy aldehydes is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion rate of heavy aldehydesVSAvoidcatalyst preparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst preparation is divided into multiple sequential steps: (1) preparing aluminum-zinc-silica precursor by co-precipitation, (2) adding copper salt and zinc powder to form copper-zinc alloy, (3) aging treatment, (4) filtering and drying. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, achieving high conversion rate while maintaining manageable process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst employs a composite structure with copper-zinc alloy particles supported on aluminum-zinc-silica carrier. This composite material combines the high catalytic activity of copper-zinc alloy with the high surface area and stability of aluminum-zinc-silica carrier, achieving both high conversion rate and structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If copper-zinc alloy is formed through conventional mixing, then the preparation process is simple, but the dispersion and activity of copper-zinc alloy particles are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activity and stabilityVSAvoidease of catalyst preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The aluminum-zinc-silica carrier is prepared in advance through co-precipitation and aging treatment before adding the copper-zinc alloy components. This preliminary action ensures the carrier has optimal surface properties and pore structure, which then facilitates uniform dispersion and stable integration of the copper-zinc alloy particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The aluminum-zinc-silica carrier acts as an intermediary that mediates between the copper-zinc alloy particles and the reaction environment. It provides a stable support structure that prevents aggregation of alloy particles while facilitating their catalytic activity, thus improving reliability without complicating the overall preparation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 catalyst achieves conversion rates of over 99.98% for octenal and 99.28% for 2-propyl-heptenal, demonstrating improved catalytic performance and efficiency in hydrogenation reactions.

Implementation Method 1

The catalyst achieves conversion rates of over 99.98% for octenal and 99.28% for 2-propyl-heptenal, demonstrating improved catalytic performance and efficiency in hydrogenation reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

mixing a copper salt, a second zinc salt, a zinc powder and water, and performing an ultrasonic treatment to obtain a second mixed solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20240335828A1Gas-phase aldehyde hydrogenation catalyst, preparation method thereof and application thereof
Publication Date: 2024.10.10 PETROCHINA CO LTD

AI summary

A gas-phase aldehyde hydrogenation catalyst, a preparation method thereof and an application thereof, where the preparation method includes: mixing an aluminum salt, a first zinc salt, silica sol, a first precipitant and water, and performing a first aging treatment to obtain a first mixed solution; mixing a copper salt, a second zinc salt, a zinc powder and water, and performing an ultrasonic treatment to obtain a second mixed solution; mixing the first mixed solution, the second mixed solution and a second precipitant, and performing a second aging treatment to obtain a third mixed solution; adding boric acid into the third mixed solution, and performing a third aging treatment to obtain a fourth mixed solution; filtering the fourth mixed solution, and sequentially drying and roasting the obtained solid product to obtain a catalyst precursor; mixing and molding the catalyst precursor with a graphite to obtain a gas-phase aldehyde hydrogenation catalyst.