Ferrite Catalyst Dilution in Butadiene Reactors for Hot Spot Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ferrite-based catalysts for butadiene production experience increased COx selectivity and decreased butadiene selectivity due to exotherm, leading to hot spot movement and increased reaction temperature, which raises costs and reduces stability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving mixing a ferrite-based catalyst molded article with diluent material particles and adjusting the catalyst-to-diluent ratio in the reactor to control exotherm and hot spot movement, maintaining stable reaction conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ferrite-based catalyst is used for oxidative dehydrogenation reaction, then butadiene production is achieved, but exotherm increases causing COx selectivity increase and butadiene selectivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutadiene productionVSAvoidexotherm
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A diluent material is introduced as an intermediary substance mixed with the ferrite-based catalyst. This diluent acts as a thermal buffer that absorbs excess heat from the exothermic reaction, preventing temperature runaway while allowing the catalyst to maintain its catalytic activity for butadiene production. The diluent material serves as a mediator between the highly active catalyst and the reaction system, enabling controlled heat release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the catalyst system are changed by incorporating diluent material with different thermal properties. The diluent material has lower catalytic activity but higher thermal stability, changing the overall heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the catalyst bed. This parameter change allows the system to handle exotherm more effectively while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If catalyst concentration is increased to improve reaction rate, then butadiene yield increases, but hot spot movement increases causing reaction temperature increase and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutadiene yieldVSAvoidreaction temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst-diluent mixture creates local zones with different catalytic activities within the reactor bed. Areas with higher catalyst concentration provide strong catalytic activity for butadiene production, while areas with higher diluent concentration provide thermal buffering. This spatial variation in material composition allows simultaneous optimization of reaction rate and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The diluent material serves as a thermal intermediary that decouples the relationship between catalyst concentration and reaction temperature. Even when catalyst concentration is increased to improve yield, the diluent absorbs the resulting heat, preventing excessive temperature rise and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If catalyst is used to maintain high reaction rate, then butadiene production increases, but exotherm control becomes difficult leading to hot spot movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction rateVSAvoidexotherm control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal parameters of the catalyst system are modified by adding diluent material with different specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity. These parameter changes enhance the system's ability to dissipate heat uniformly, making exotherm control more reliable even at high reaction rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A composite catalyst system is created by combining ferrite-based catalyst particles with diluent material particles. This composite structure combines the high catalytic activity of the ferrite-based catalyst with the thermal stability and heat dissipation properties of the diluent material, achieving both high productivity and reliable exotherm control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Stabilizes the reaction by controlling hot spot movement and reducing costs through optimized catalyst concentration, enhancing butadiene yield and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of butene is a reaction in which butene and oxygen react with each other in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst to produce 1,3-butadiene and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

since the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of butene is an exothermic reaction unlike the direct dehydrogenation reaction of butene, 1,3-butadiene may be obtained at high yield even at low reaction temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

mixing a ferrite-based catalyst molded article with diluent material particles to form a mixture... simultaneously control a hot spot movement rate of a catalyst within a range capable of controlling exotherm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption and distribution: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12370517B2Catalyst loading method and method for preparation of butadiene by using same
Publication Date: 2025.07.29 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

The present specification relates to a method comprising: (A) mixing a ferrite-based catalyst molded article with diluent material particles; and (B) adding the mixture to a catalyst reactor, and a method for preparing butadiene using the same.