Desulfurization Catalyst Pore Structure Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for desulfurization of fatty acid esters are inefficient due to low catalytic activity and short catalyst life, as sulfur components in the esters act as catalytic poisons, requiring frequent catalyst replacement and reducing facility efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst with a specific pore structure, containing elements from group 9, 10, and 11 of the periodic table, and having a total pore volume of 0.05 mL/g or more, with 50% or more of its pores in the range of 0.1 µm to 500 µm, enhancing catalytic activity and maintaining it effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adsorbent with pore diameter of 20 to 200 nm is used for desulfurization, then sulfur components can be adsorbed, but catalytic activity per weight of catalyst metal is low and maintenance rate is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pore size parameter from conventional 20-200 nm to 1-50 μm, which fundamentally alters the mass transport characteristics. This parameter change enables bulk diffusion of fatty acid esters into the catalyst interior while maintaining sulfur adsorption capability, thereby simultaneously improving catalytic activity and maintenance rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous adsorbent materials with specifically engineered pore structures (1-50 μm) that facilitate deep penetration of bulky fatty acid ester molecules. The porous structure allows efficient mass transport to active sites while providing sufficient surface area for sulfur component adsorption, resolving the contradiction between activity and reliability.
2Productivity
If adsorbent pore size is increased to improve diffusion, then catalytic activity improves, but adsorbent strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite porous materials that combine structural support components with active adsorption phases. The composite structure provides mechanical strength to maintain integrity at larger pore sizes while preserving the porous network necessary for diffusion and sulfur adsorption, thus enabling both high activity and structural durability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional petrochemistry desulfurization techniques are applied to fatty acid esters, then process simplicity is maintained, but desulfurization efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts conventional desulfurization technology by changing the pore size parameter to suit fatty acid esters. This maintains the simplicity of the adsorption process while dramatically improving efficiency, as the larger pores enable effective contact between the bulky ester molecules and active sites.
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
This approach significantly improves the catalytic activity per mass of the catalyst and extends its maintenance rate, allowing for efficient production of fatty acid esters with low sulfur content and subsequent alcohol production.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorbent containing a metal such as Ni or Cu is used and a sulfur-containing compound is chemically hydrocracked in a hydrogen atmosphere and adsorbed to the adsorbent
Implementation Method 2
desulfurization of sulfur from a fatty acid ester using a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a fatty acid ester through desulfurization of sulfur from a fatty acid ester using a catalyst, wherein the catalyst carries a catalyst metal on a support, (a) the catalyst contains as the catalyst metal one or more elements selected from the elements of group 9, group 10 and group 11 of the periodic table, (b) the total pore volume of the catalyst is 0.05 mL/g or more, and (c) the volume of pores with a pore size of 0.1 μmι or more and 500 μm or less is 50% or more of the total pore volume of the catalyst. A desulfurization method using the desulfurization and a method for producing an alcohol through hydrogenation of the fatty acid ester obtained through the desulfurization are also provided.