Fluorided Solid Oxide Activator-Support for Olefin Polymerization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current olefin polymerization catalysts lack sufficient surface area and activity, particularly when using metallocene-based systems, which hinders the production of high-quality polyolefins.

Innovation Solution

The development of fluorided solid oxide activator-supports with increased surface area, produced through a process involving calcination and fluoriding, is used in conjunction with transition metal compounds and optional co-catalysts to enhance catalyst activity in olefin polymerization processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional solid oxide supports are used in metallocene-based catalyst systems, then the catalyst structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the surface area and catalyst activity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst activityVSAvoidcatalyst composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining solid oxide support with fluorinated compounds to create a fluorided solid oxide activator-support. This composite structure integrates the structural stability of solid oxides with the high surface area and catalytic activity enhancement provided by fluorination, directly resolving the contradiction between simplicity and catalyst activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the surface chemistry of the solid oxide support through fluorination treatment. This chemical modification changes the surface area, porosity, and surface charge parameters of the support, thereby enhancing catalyst activity without fundamentally changing the basic catalyst structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If the surface area of solid oxide supports is increased through fluorination, then catalyst activity improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface areaVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing fluorination treatment on the solid oxide support before catalyst preparation. This pre-treatment establishes the desired surface area and surface properties in advance, simplifying subsequent catalyst formulation steps while achieving the target surface area enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical methods of surface area enhancement (such as physical grinding or crushing) with chemical fluorination treatment. This substitution achieves surface area increase through chemical vapor deposition or solution-based fluorination, which is more controlled and less mechanically intensive than physical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 resulting catalyst compositions exhibit higher surface areas and catalyst activities, leading to improved polymerization outcomes with increased productivity and quality of polyolefins.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the calcined solid oxide with vapor from a fluorine-containing compound to produce a fluorided solid oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor phase deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 2

contacting the calcined solid oxide with vapor comprising a fluorine-containing compound to produce the fluorided solid oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2888045B1Vapor phase preparation of fluorided solid oxides
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
  • EP2888045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2888045B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods for the vapor phase preparation of fluorided solid oxide activator-supports, using certain calcining temperatures and fluoriding temperatures, are disclosed.