Pd-Mo-Sn Catalyst for Selective Hydrodeoxygenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomass conversion technologies face challenges in efficiently converting complex carbohydrate feedstocks into lower molecular weight oxygenated compounds like alcohols, ketones, and cyclic ethers at moderate temperatures without significant saturation into alkanes, requiring cost-effective catalysts that maximize yields while minimizing alkane generation.
Innovation Solution
A heterogeneous hydrodeoxygenation catalyst system containing palladium, molybdenum, and tin, with optional tungsten, is used to convert aqueous feedstocks of polysaccharides and other oxygenated hydrocarbons into cyclic ethers and oxygenated compounds at temperatures between 100°C and 300°C, utilizing hydrogen and a support that is hydrothermally stable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional catalysts are used for hydrodeoxygenation, then oxygen removal is achieved, but significant saturation into alkanes occurs and yields of desired oxygenated compounds decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst employs distinct metal components with specialized functions: palladium provides hydrodeoxygenation activity while molybdenum and tin components suppress excessive hydrogenation. This local differentiation of catalytic functions within the composite catalyst structure enables selective oxygen removal while minimizing unwanted alkane formation, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful byproduct generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite catalyst system combining palladium, molybdenum, and tin on a support material. This composite structure synergistically combines the strengths of each metal: palladium for deoxygenation, molybdenum for structural stability and selectivity control, and tin for modulating hydrogenation activity. The composite material approach enables simultaneous achievement of high oxygenated compound yields and suppressed alkane formation.
2Productivity
If high temperatures are used to increase reaction rate, then conversion efficiency improves, but catalyst deactivation accelerates and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst enables operation at moderate temperatures (150-300°C) by optimizing the metal composition and dispersion on the support. The palladium-molybdenum-tin combination creates active sites with appropriate binding energies for reactants, allowing efficient conversion without requiring extreme temperatures. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between productivity and temperature control, maintaining high conversion rates while avoiding catalyst deactivation and excessive energy consumption.
3Productivity
If catalyst loading is increased to maximize conversion, then reaction efficiency improves, but cost of catalyst and separation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst design and operation enable efficient conversion at moderate loadings, producing a product mixture where desired oxygenated compounds can be separated using standard distillation or extraction techniques. The moderate conversion conditions prevent excessive formation of byproducts that would complicate separation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and separation complexity while maintaining economic feasibility.
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 system effectively produces high yields of desired oxygenated compounds with minimal alkane formation, maintaining catalyst activity for extended periods without regeneration, and optimizing the carbon backbone, thus enhancing the economic viability of biomass conversion processes.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention is directed to catalysts and their use in the conversion of sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products
Implementation Method 2
The aqueous carbohydrate feedstock is then converted into reactive intermediates through one or more APR/hydrodeoxygenation reactions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing Group VIII metals. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.