Hydrogen Spillover Catalyst in Structurally Collapsed Zeolite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen spillover-based catalysts face limitations in achieving high hydroprocessing activity while suppressing C-C bond cleavage and maintaining thermal stability, especially in sulfur-containing environments.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogen spillover-based catalyst is developed with a hydrogen activation metal cluster encapsulated in structurally collapsed zeolite, specifically P-type, A-type, or X-type zeolites with a silica/alumina molar ratio of 2 or less, which is ion-exchanged with ammonium ions and thermally treated to form crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate, enhancing hydroprocessing activity and thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If precious metal-based catalyst (Pt, Pd) is used for hydroprocessing, then high activity is achieved in the absence of sulfur, but the catalyst is rapidly deactivated in the presence of sulfur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydroprocessing activityVSAvoidcatalyst stability in sulfur-containing environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds precious metal particles inside the cages of zeolite Y, creating a nested structure where the metal is protected within the porous framework. This nesting prevents direct contact between sulfur compounds and the metal active sites, thereby maintaining catalyst stability in sulfur-containing environments while preserving high hydroprocessing activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the microporous structure of zeolite Y with specific pore sizes (3.7-4.1 nm) to selectively allow hydrogen molecules to reach the encapsulated metal particles while blocking larger sulfur-containing molecules. This porous confinement strategy enables the catalyst to maintain high activity and resistance to sulfur poisoning simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If molybdenum sulfide-based catalyst (NiMo, CoMo) is used for hydroprocessing, then resistance to sulfur is improved, but activity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesulfur resistanceVSAvoidhydroprocessing activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite catalyst system combining precious metal particles (0.1-5 nm) with zeolite Y support, forming a hybrid material that exhibits both high activity from the precious metal and high sulfur resistance from the zeolite framework. This composite structure overcomes the limitations of using either molybdenum sulfide or precious metal alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If metal particles are supported in microporous zeolite to enhance stability, then catalyst stability is improved, but C-C bond cleavage (hydrogenolysis) is not sufficiently suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoidC-C hydrogenolysis activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates locally differentiated environments within the zeolite Y structure by controlling the size and distribution of metal particles in different cage types (α-cages and β-cages). This local quality control ensures that hydrogenation reactions occur preferentially while C-C bond cleavage is suppressed, achieving both stability and selectivity

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 exhibits high hydroprocessing activity, low C-C hydrogenolysis activity, and superior thermal stability, outperforming conventional Pt/SiO2 catalysts by encapsulating hydrogen activation metal in structurally stable aluminosilicate, preventing sintering and maintaining activity under severe conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogen activation metal (M) cluster encapsulated in the aluminosilicate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen activation: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

hydrogen spillover-based catalyst wherein a hydrogen activation metal cluster is dispersed in a crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate matrix

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen spillover: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

ion-exchanging the zeolite with an ammonium ion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 4

thermally treated to form crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP2990111B1Catalyst containing metal cluster in structurally collapsed zeolite, and use thereof
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 SK INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP2990111B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2990111B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2990111B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This invention relates to a hydrogen spillover-based catalyst and use thereof, wherein a hydrogen activation metal cluster is dispersed in the form of being encapsulated in a crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate matrix which is partially or fully structurally collapsed zeolite, thereby exhibiting high hydroprocessing or dehydrogenation activity and suppressed C-C hydrogenolysis activity.