Hydrated Titanium Catalyst Preparation for Water-Tolerant Cr-Silica Supports

Solution Overview

Problem

The production of chromium-silica-titanium (Cr/Si-Ti) olefin polymerization catalysts is hindered by the need for rigorous drying of water-sensitive catalyst components, increasing production time and cost.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a solubilized titanium mixture (STM) is employed to associate titanium with a silica support, using specific molar ratios and pH conditions, followed by heating to form a pre-catalyst composition, which reduces the need for extensive drying and simplifies the production process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigorous drying of water-sensitive catalyst components is performed, then catalyst activity and stability are improved, but production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst activityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical state of titanium from anhydrous to hydrated form, and adjusts the pH parameter of the deposition solution to acidic conditions (pH 1-4), which fundamentally alters the deposition mechanism and eliminates the need for rigorous drying while maintaining catalyst activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an acidic aqueous solution as an intermediary medium that enables titanium deposition onto silica support without requiring anhydrous conditions. The acidic solution acts as a mediator that facilitates the formation of active sites while maintaining water tolerance, thereby eliminating the time-consuming drying step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If rigorous drying of water-sensitive catalyst components is performed, then catalyst stability is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical state of titanium from anhydrous to hydrated form, and adjusts the pH parameter of the deposition solution to acidic conditions (pH 1-4), which fundamentally alters the deposition mechanism and eliminates the need for rigorous drying while maintaining catalyst activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an acidic aqueous solution as an intermediary medium that enables titanium deposition onto silica support without requiring anhydrous conditions. The acidic solution acts as a mediator that facilitates the formation of active sites while maintaining water tolerance, thereby eliminating the time-consuming drying step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional anhydrous methods are used for catalyst preparation, then catalyst performance is maintained, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst performanceVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical state of titanium from anhydrous to hydrated form, and adjusts the pH parameter of the deposition solution to acidic conditions (pH 1-4), which fundamentally alters the deposition mechanism and eliminates the need for rigorous drying while maintaining catalyst activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an acidic aqueous solution as an intermediary medium that enables titanium deposition onto silica support without requiring anhydrous conditions. The acidic solution acts as a mediator that facilitates the formation of active sites while maintaining water tolerance, thereby eliminating the time-consuming drying step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces production costs and time by enabling the formation of an effective olefin polymerization catalyst without extensive drying, maintaining catalyst activity and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A method involving the use of a solubilized titanium mixture (STM) is employed to associate titanium with a silica support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical deposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

followed by heating to form a pre-catalyst composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS12544745B2Methods of preparing a catalyst utilizing hydrated reagents

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP

AI summary

A method comprising a) contacting a solvent, a carboxylic acid, and a peroxide-containing compound to form an acidic mixture wherein a weight ratio of solvent to carboxylic acid in the acidic mixture is from about 1:1 to about 100:1; b) contacting a titanium-containing compound and the acidic mixture to form a solubilized titanium mixture wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to carboxylic acid in the solubilized titanium mixture is from about 1:1 to about 1:4 and an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to peroxide-containing compound in the solubilized titanium mixture is from about 1:1 to about 1:20; and c) contacting a chromium-silica support comprising from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % water and the solubilized titanium mixture to form an addition product and drying the addition product by heating to a temperature in a range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and maintaining the temperature in the range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C. for a time period of from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours to form a pre-catalyst.