Dewaxing Catalyst with Hydrothermally Stable Binder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dewaxing catalysts face challenges with hydrothermal stability, catalyst poisoning, and mechanical strength when processing waxy feedstocks, particularly those with high oxygen content, leading to deactivation and reduced activity.

Innovation Solution

A dewaxing catalyst comprising a zeolite component (ZSM-48 or ZSM-23) combined with a hydrogenation component (Pt or Ni) and a hydrothermally stable binder (nickel molybdenum tungsten oxides, nickel molybdenum tungsten sulfide, WO3, La2O3, CeO2, or Nb2O5), optimized with specific weight ratios to enhance stability and activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional dewaxing catalysts are used to maximize dewaxing activity, then catalytic activity is improved, but hydrothermal stability deteriorates due to deactivation by steam causing dealumination of zeolite catalyst and degradation of oxide support/binder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedewaxing activityVSAvoidhydrothermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite catalyst system combining zeolite (ZSM-48 or ZSM-23) with specific binder materials (nickel molybdenum tungsten oxides, nickel molybdenum tungsten sulfide, WO3, La2O3, CeO2, or Nb2O5) to achieve both high dewaxing activity and hydrothermal stability. The composite structure allows the zeolite to provide catalytic activity while the specialized binder provides hydrothermal stability and prevents dealumination under steam exposure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If zeolite catalysts are combined with inorganic oxide binder to ensure mechanical strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but hydrothermal stability deteriorates due to agglomeration of metal under steam conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidhydrothermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder material, selecting specific compounds (nickel molybdenum tungsten oxides, nickel molybdenum tungsten sulfide, WO3, La2O3, CeO2, or Nb2O5) that maintain mechanical strength while providing enhanced hydrothermal stability. These binder materials resist agglomeration under steam conditions better than conventional inorganic oxide binders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If catalyst is exposed to steam generated from water conversion, then hydrogenation reaction is facilitated, but catalyst deactivation occurs due to dealuminating zeolite catalyst and degrading oxide support/binder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogenation efficiencyVSAvoidcatalyst stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of steam (which normally causes dealumination and deactivation) into a beneficial condition by using steam-tolerant binder materials that can withstand steam exposure. The specialized binders (nickel molybdenum tungsten oxides, nickel molybdenum tungsten sulfide, WO3, La2O3, CeO2, or Nb2O5) are specifically selected for their ability to maintain catalyst structure and activity in the presence of steam, allowing the hydrogenation reaction to proceed efficiently without deactivation.

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 catalysts demonstrate improved hydrothermal stability, reduced metal agglomeration, and increased catalytic selectivity and activity, effectively dewaxing oxygenated feeds without significant cracking, even in the presence of water and CO2.

Implementation Method 1

Catalysts that isomerize do not normally result in significant boiling point conversion. Catalysts that dewax primarily by isomerization are exemplified by the zeolites ZSM-22, ZSM-23, SSZ-32, ZSM-35, ZSM-48 and ZSM-50.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIsomerization: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a hydrogenation component selected from Pt, Ni, and a mixture thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

Catalytic dewaxing may be accomplished using catalysts that function primarily by cracking waxes to lower boiling products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCracking: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2969198B1Dewaxing catalysts
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO
  • EP2969198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2969198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2969198B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are catalysts including: a zeolite component selected from zeolites having 10-member ring pores, zeolites having 12-member ring pores and a combination thereof, 0.1 to 5 weight % of a hydrogenation component selected from Pt, Pd, Ag, Ni, Co, Mo, W, Rh, Re, Ru, Ir and a mixture thereof, and a hydrothermally stable binder component selected from tantalum oxide, tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, niobium oxide, tungstated zirconia, cobalt molybdenum oxide, cobalt molybdenum sulfide, nickel molybdenum oxide, nickel molybdenum sulfide, nickel tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten sulfide, cobalt tungsten oxide, cobalt tungsten sulfide, nickel molybdenum tungsten oxide and nickel molybdenum tungsten sulfide, cobalt molybdenum tungsten oxide and cobalt molybdenum tungsten sulfide, wherein the weight ratio of the zeolite to the hydrothermally stable binder is 85:15 to 25:75.