Hydrocracking Catalyst Synthesis Using Supercritical CO2

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrocracking catalyst synthesis methods generate harmful waste and do not effectively utilize zeolite pellets as support materials, particularly when using solvents like ammonia or acidic substances, which pose health risks and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A synthesis method using supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent to adsorb Ni and/or W metal precursors onto zeolite pellets within a high-pressure container, where carbon dioxide transforms into a supercritical phase for enhanced dissolution and adsorption, followed by calcination, eliminating the need for hazardous waste disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If ammonia or acidic solvents are used for metal dissolution and impregnation, then metal adsorption onto support material is achieved, but harmful waste and ammonia steam are generated during calcination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal adsorption efficiencyVSAvoidharmful waste and ammonia steam generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and chemical properties of the solvent by using supercritical carbon dioxide instead of conventional liquid solvents. By adjusting pressure and temperature parameters to achieve the supercritical state, CO2 provides effective metal dissolution and impregnation while avoiding harmful waste generation during calcination, as CO2 simply decomposes to harmless CO and O2

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of carbon dioxide to supercritical state for the impregnation process, then allows it to return to gaseous state during calcination. This phase transition enables the solvent to penetrate the support material effectively while eliminating the generation of harmful waste products that occur with conventional solvents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional solvents are used for metal dissolution, then impregnation process is completed, but waste disposal problems arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpregnation process completionVSAvoidwaste disposal requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of solvent residue into a benefit by using supercritical CO2, which decomposes completely during calcination into harmless CO and O2 gases. This eliminates waste disposal problems while maintaining effective impregnation, turning what would be a environmental burden into a clean process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If zeolite pellets are used as support material, then cracking performance is enhanced, but effective utilization requires optimized metal precursor adsorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecracking performanceVSAvoidmetal precursor adsorption optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes metal precursor adsorption onto zeolite pellets by using supercritical CO2 as the solvent, which provides enhanced penetration and uniform distribution of metal precursors throughout the porous zeolite structure. The supercritical state allows for better mass transfer and more precise control of metal loading, improving the overall manufacturing precision of the catalyst

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the cracking performance of hydrocracking catalysts while avoiding the generation of harmful waste, leveraging the favorable thermo-physical properties of supercritical carbon dioxide for improved mass transfer and deposition kinetics.

Implementation Method 1

carbon dioxide transforms into a supercritical phase for enhanced dissolution and adsorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid dissolution: Supercritical Fluid

Implementation Method 2

adsorb Ni and/or W metal precursors onto zeolite pellets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

the support material is subjected to a calcination process so as to allow oxidation of the adsorbed metals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCalcination: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 4

subjected to calcination so as to allow oxidation of the adsorbed metals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3083042B1Method for hydrocracking catalyst synthesis using supercritical co2
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 TURKIYE PETROL RAFINERILERI ANONIM SIRKETI TUPRAS
  • EP3083042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3083042B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(c)

AI summary

The synthesis system (S) according to the present invention comprises a high-pressure container (1) into which the support material (17) and metal precursor (18) are placed and having a body (13) resistant to high pressure; a carbondioxide source (2) for supplying carbondioxide gas into the high-pressure container (1); a pump (3) for delivering carbondioxide into the high-pressure container (1); a temperature regulation unit (6) regulating the temperature of the high-pressure container (1); at least one heating furnace wherein the support material (17) is heated and subjected to calcination after the metal precursor (18) is dissolved in carbondioxide in the supercritical phase and adsorbed into the support material (17). The synthesis method using the synthesis system (S) comprises the steps of introducing (a) the metal precursor (18) and support material (17) into the high-pressure container (1); supplying carbondioxide into the high-pressure container (1); allowing the metal precursor (18) to be dissolved in carbondioxide and adsorbed (b) by the support material (17); heating the support material (17) inside the said furnace and subjecting it to a calcination (c) process so as to allow the metal precursor (18) adsorbed by the support material (17) to oxidize.