Hydrocracking Catalyst Preparation via Ammonium Salt Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrocracking catalysts exhibit poor performance due to uneven distribution of hydrogenation metals, leading to inadequate hydrocracking activity.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the use of an aqueous solution with an ammonium salt to deposit hydrogenation metals onto a shaped body comprising a zeolite and a binder, ensuring uniform distribution and proximity of the metal to the zeolite acid sites, thereby enhancing catalyst performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an aqueous solution of hydrogenation metal compound is used to deposit metal onto the shaped body, then the metal deposition process is simple, but the metal distribution becomes uneven between outer surface and inner body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition process simplicityVSAvoidmetal distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An ammonium salt is introduced as an intermediary substance in the aqueous solution to mediate the deposition of hydrogenation metal. The ammonium salt modifies the solution chemistry to prevent preferential surface deposition, enabling uniform metal distribution throughout the shaped body while maintaining the simplicity of the aqueous deposition process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If hydrogenation metal is deposited mainly on the outer surface of the extrudate, then the deposition process is efficient, but the catalyst performance deteriorates due to poor metal distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition efficiencyVSAvoidcatalyst performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ammonium salt acts as a mediating agent that redistributes the hydrogenation metal deposition throughout the extrudate. It prevents the metal from concentrating only on the outer surface by modifying the deposition mechanism, thereby achieving both efficient deposition and uniform distribution for optimal catalyst performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the hydrogenation metal is not in close proximity to the zeolite acid sites, then the catalyst structure is simple, but the hydrocracking activity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst structure complexityVSAvoidhydrocracking activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The deposition process is optimized to achieve local concentration of hydrogenation metal at specific sites within the shaped body where zeolite acid sites are located. This ensures close proximity between metal and acid sites for high hydrocracking activity while maintaining overall catalyst structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 process results in a hydrocracking catalyst with high activity, achieving optimal benzene yield and low methane production, with improved catalyst durability and efficiency in hydrocracking processes.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a shaped body comprising a zeolite and a binder with an aqueous solution of a hydrogenation metal compound which is a complex or a salt of a hydrogenation metal to deposit the hydrogenation metal onto the shaped body, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an ammonium salt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS10864505B2Process for preparing hydrocracking catalyst
Publication Date: 2020.12.15 SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for preparing a hydrocracking catalyst, comprising (i) contacting a shaped body comprising a zeolite and a binder with an aqueous solution of a hydrogenation metal compound which is a complex or a salt of a hydrogenation metal to deposit the hydrogenation metal onto the shaped body, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an ammonium salt and (ii) calcining the shaped body obtained by step (i).