Hydrodeoxygenation Catalyst Composition for Selective C-O Cleavage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrodeoxygenation processes for producing renewable fuels from biological feedstocks suffer from low efficiency and selectivity, particularly in the removal of oxygen without breaking C-C bonds, leading to unwanted by-products like CO and CO2, which reduce yield.

Innovation Solution

A catalyst composition comprising specific amounts of molybdenum, nickel, and phosphorus, applied through impregnation methods, is used to enhance the hydrodeoxygenation process, ensuring high activity and selectivity by maintaining C-O bond cleavage while minimizing C-C bond cleavage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hydrodeoxygenation catalysts are used, then oxygen removal is achieved, but C-C bond cleavage occurs producing unwanted CO and CO2, reducing yield

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveselectivityVSAvoidyield loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies catalyst composition parameters by incorporating specific amounts of nickel (0.1-1.3 wt%) and phosphorus (0.5-2.9 wt%) with molybdenum (6-16 wt%), creating a bimetallic catalyst system that changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst to achieve high selectivity for C-O bond cleavage while minimizing C-C bond cleavage, thereby reducing yield loss from unwanted CO and CO2 formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite catalyst material combining molybdenum, nickel, and phosphorus on a support structure. This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction of different metal components to achieve the desired selectivity, where the bimetallic system (Mo-Ni) with phosphorus promotion provides both activity and selectivity for hydrodeoxygenation while suppressing unwanted side reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If monometallic molybdenum catalyst is used, then hydrodeoxygenation activity is maintained, but selectivity and efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveactivityVSAvoidselectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a monometallic molybdenum catalyst to a bimetallic Mo-Ni catalyst system with phosphorus promotion. This composite material approach maintains the high activity of molybdenum while adding nickel to enhance selectivity for the desired C-O bond cleavage pathway, achieving both productivity and reliability improvements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by introducing phosphorus as a promoter at specific concentrations (0.5-2.9 wt%) within the catalyst structure. This localized modification of the catalyst composition creates specific active sites that favor selective C-O bond cleavage while maintaining overall catalyst activity, thereby improving selectivity without sacrificing productivity

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 catalyst achieves high hydrodeoxygenation efficiency, producing desired products with reduced formation of CO and CO2, thereby improving the yield and quality of renewable fuels.

Implementation Method 1

The method employs a specific catalyst to achieve high activity and selectivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

removal of oxygen by catalytic reaction with hydrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentUS20260062622A1Method for hydrodeoxygenation of feedstocks of biological origin
Publication Date: 2026.03.05 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

The present process effectively produces hydrocarbon products upon hydrotreating a feedstock of biological origin. The process comprises first providing a bio feedstock, then passing the feedstock to a reactor comprising a catalyst comprised of about 6 to 16 wt. % Mo, 0.1 to 1.3 wt. % Ni, and 0.5 to 2.9 wt. % P. The bio feedstock is then reacted over the catalyst.