Hydrocracking Catalyst Composition with Zeolite Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydrocracking catalysts face challenges in achieving high mono-aromatics hydrogenation activity and middle distillate selectivity while maintaining a low hydrogen consumption, with potential damage to the zeolite crystal structure during catalyst preparation.

Innovation Solution

A precipitated catalyst composition is developed, incorporating Group VIb metals, non-noble Group VIII metals, and zeolites, formed through a chemical process at neutral to alkaline pH, which allows for high dispersion of metals within the zeolite pores without damaging the zeolite structure, and optionally includes refractory oxides like silica or titania.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional impregnation techniques are used to deposit metals onto shaped carrier, then the catalyst preparation is simple, but the metal dispersion is limited and hydrogenation activity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst preparation simplicityVSAvoidmetal dispersion uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support material is pre-modified with silane coupling agents before metal deposition, creating predetermined anchoring sites that guide uniform metal dispersion. This preliminary surface treatment enables better metal distribution compared to conventional direct impregnation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Silane coupling agents serve as intermediary substances between the support carrier and metal compounds. These intermediaries facilitate controlled metal deposition by providing specific chemical interaction sites, resulting in improved metal dispersion and higher hydrogenation activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If acid pH is used during catalyst preparation to promote metal precipitation, then metal dispersion improves, but the zeolite crystal structure is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal dispersionVSAvoidzeolite crystal structure integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pH parameter is changed from acidic to neutral or slightly alkaline conditions during metal precipitation. This parameter modification allows metal dispersion to be achieved without the harmful effects of acid on the zeolite crystal structure, maintaining both dispersion quality and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The support surface is modified with hydrophobic silane groups that create localized high-energy sites for metal deposition. This local quality enhancement enables effective metal dispersion at neutral pH by concentrating metal precipitation at specific surface locations rather than requiring bulk acid conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If high amounts of hydrogenation metals are incorporated to increase mono-aromatics hydrogenation activity, then hydrogenation activity improves, but hydrogen consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogenation activityVSAvoidhydrogen consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support carrier utilizes its porous structure to provide high surface area for metal dispersion. This porous architecture allows efficient hydrogenation activity with lower metal loadings by maximizing the exposed active metal surface area, thereby reducing hydrogen consumption while maintaining high activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst employs a composite structure combining the porous support carrier with dispersed hydrogenation metals. This composite material design synergistically combines the high surface area of the porous support with the catalytic activity of the metals, achieving high hydrogenation efficiency at lower metal concentrations and reduced hydrogen consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 exhibits significantly higher mono-aromatics hydrogenation activity and middle distillate selectivity with reduced hydrogen consumption compared to conventionally prepared catalysts, while maintaining the integrity of the zeolite crystal structure.

Implementation Method 1

A precipitated catalyst composition is developed, incorporating Group VIb metals, non-noble Group VIII metals, and zeolites, formed through a chemical process at neutral to alkaline pH

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

The resulting catalyst exhibits significantly higher mono-aromatics hydrogenation activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

a process for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock into lower boiling materials which comprises contacting the feedstock with hydrogen at elevated temperature and elevated pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS7648939B2Hydrocracking catalyst composition
Publication Date: 2010.01.19 SHELL USA INC

AI summary

The invention provides an unsupported catalyst composition which comprises one or more Group VIb metals, one or more Group VIII metals, one or more zeolites, and, optionally, a refractory oxide material. A (co)precipitation preparation process is described and also use of the composition in hydrocracking.