IZM-2 Zeolite Catalyst for Renewable Diesel Cold Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of middle distillate fuels from renewable resources faces challenges in achieving high yields while minimizing the production of light cracked products that cannot be incorporated into gas oil and kerosene pools, and in enhancing cold resistance properties.

Innovation Solution

A continuous process using a catalyst comprising hydro-dehydrogenating metals from groups VIB and VIII, supported by IZM-2 zeolite, is employed for the hydroisomerization of paraffinic feedstocks with carbon atoms between 10 and 22, at temperatures between 150°C and 500°C, and pressures between 0.1 MPa and 15 MPa, to produce diesel and kerosene bases with improved branching and cold properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If extensive hydroisomerization is carried out to improve cold properties of hydrotreated liquid effluent, then cold resistance properties are improved, but production of light cracked products increases resulting in yield loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold resistance propertiesVSAvoidyield of middle distillate bases
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst by using a specific zeolite structure (IZM-2 with 8-membered ring channels) and controlled Si/Al ratios to modify the hydroisomerization reaction pathway. This selective catalysis promotes isomerization while suppressing cracking reactions, achieving improved cold properties with minimal yield loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite catalyst system combining IZM-2 zeolite with specific metal components (Group VIII and/or Group VIB metals) to achieve bifunctional activity. The zeolite provides shape-selective acid catalysis for isomerization, while the metal components provide hydrogenation/dehydrogenation functions, together resolving the contradiction between cold property improvement and yield maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If hydroisomerization is carried out to transform n-paraffins into branched paraffins, then cold properties are improved, but cracked products that are too light for gas oil and kerosene pools are produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebranching of paraffinsVSAvoidlight cracked products
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the porous structure of IZM-2 zeolite with its specific 8-membered ring channel system to impose steric constraints on the reaction. The pore geometry allows n-paraffins to enter and undergo isomerization to branched products, while the channel dimensions restrict the formation and diffusion of lighter cracked fragments, thereby improving composition stability and reducing substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates local quality differences within the catalyst structure by controlling the Si/Al ratio and creating specific active sites within the zeolite framework. This localized catalytic activity promotes isomerization at specific locations while suppressing cracking reactions, achieving high branching with minimal light product formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If decarboxylation is used to transform fillers into paraffins, then hydrogen consumption is limited, but diesel base yields are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen consumptionVSAvoidyield of diesel bases
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary hydrotreatment to convert triglycerides and fatty acid esters into paraffinic feedstock before the main conversion step. This preliminary saturation of oxygenated compounds creates a paraffinic intermediate that can then be efficiently converted to diesel bases with optimized hydrogen consumption and maximized yield through the subsequent IZM-2 catalyzed process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively limits the production of light cracked products, enhances the branching of paraffins, and produces diesel and kerosene bases with low sulfur, nitrogen, and aromatic content, excellent cold holding properties, and reduced density, meeting environmental and quality standards.

Implementation Method 1

the use of a catalyst based on an IZM-2 zeolite in a hydroconversion process of a paraffinic feed produced from renewable resources, makes it possible to obtain good yields of middle distillate base and in particular, to limit the production of light cracked products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a catalyst comprising at least one hydro-dehydrogenating metal chosen from the group formed by the metals of group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentEP2607457B1Method for converting paraffin feedstock from biomass into middle distillate bases using at least one catalyst based on the IZM-2 zeolite
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for converting a paraffinic feed having a number of carbon atoms between 9 and 25, said paraffinic feed being produced from renewable resources, employing a catalyst comprising at least one hydro-dehydrogenating metal selected from the group formed by the metals of group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table, taken alone or in mixture and a support comprising at least one IZM-2 zeolite and at least one binder, said process being carried out at a temperature between 150 and 500°C, at a pressure between 0.1 MPa and 15 MPa, at a space-hour velocity between 0.1 and 10 h-1 and in the presence of a total quantity of hydrogen mixed with the feed such that the hydrogen/feed ratio is between 70 and 2000 Nm3/m3 of feed.