Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst Storage in Deaerated Hydrocarbon

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for activating and preserving Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts face challenges such as catalyst deactivation due to air exposure, complex handling of wax-based preservation methods, and equipment requirements for high-temperature reduction processes, which affect catalyst activity and on-site applicability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the reduction of catalysts using hydrogen or carbon monoxide-containing gases, followed by immersion or coating in deaerated liquid hydrocarbon to prevent air contact, allowing for long-term preservation and easy transfer of activated catalysts without additional heating or complex equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the activated catalyst is exposed to air for preservation, then the catalyst can be easily stored and transferred, but the catalyst activity decreases due to oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of storage and transferVSAvoidcatalyst activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inert atmosphere preservation by storing the activated catalyst in an atmosphere containing nitrogen or carbon dioxide at a concentration of 90% or more. This inert environment prevents oxidation of the activated catalyst while maintaining its high activity, allowing easy storage and transfer without sacrificing catalyst performance. The inert gas atmosphere serves as a protective medium that eliminates the harmful oxidative effect while enabling practical handling and storage operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If high-temperature reduction process is used to activate the catalyst, then the catalyst achieves high activity, but additional heating equipment and complex handling are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst activityVSAvoidequipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the high-temperature reduction activation process before catalyst storage and transfer. The catalyst is activated to high activity state in advance under controlled conditions, then maintained in that activated state through inert atmosphere preservation. This allows the catalyst to be prepared with high activity beforehand, and subsequently stored and transferred without requiring additional heating equipment or complex handling procedures during routine operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the catalyst is stored in air without protection, then no special storage equipment is needed, but the catalyst deactivates rapidly due to oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of storage systemVSAvoidcatalyst stability during storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements inert atmosphere storage by maintaining the catalyst in an environment with nitrogen or carbon dioxide at 90% or more concentration. This approach provides long-term catalyst stability during storage by preventing oxidation, while the storage system remains relatively simple in design. The inert gas atmosphere acts as a straightforward protective medium that extends catalyst storage life without requiring complex storage equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 method maintains high catalyst activity during long-term storage and transfer, simplifies the handling process, and eliminates the need for additional activation equipment, with improved switching performance and selectivity in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions.

Implementation Method 1

A method involving the reduction of catalysts using hydrogen or carbon monoxide-containing gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 2

introducing the reduced catalyst prepared in the first step into the liquid hydrocarbon prepared in the second step while blocking its contact with air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3075450B1Method for storing activated fischer-tropsch synthesis catalyst
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 KOREA RES INST OF CHEM TECH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing the activated catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising: a first step of reducing a catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; a second step of preparing liquid hydrocarbon in which a part or all of molecular oxygen is eliminated; and a third step of introducing the reduced catalyst prepared in the first step into the liquid hydrocarbon prepared in the second step while blocking its contact with air. Since the reduced catalyst used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is introduced into liquid hydrocarbon from which molecular oxygen is removed or coated by liquid hydrocarbon, the catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activated based on the present invention maintains a high activity even if exposed to the air for a long time, thereby easily facilitating the long-term storage and long-distance transfer of the reduced catalyst.