Calcium Aluminate Pellet Catalyst for Acid-Resistant Hydrogenation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catalysts for hydrogenation of carbonyl groups in organic compounds suffer from reduced mechanical stability due to the attack of acidic compounds, leading to leaching of catalytically active metals and decreased catalytic activity, necessitating the development of environmentally friendly alternatives with comparable properties.

Innovation Solution

A catalyst body comprising CuAl a Mn b Zn c O d with calcium aluminate as a binder, having a lateral compressive strength of 100-300 N, is formulated and produced through mixing, tableting, and thermal treatment, followed by reduction and stabilization to enhance mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chromium-containing catalysts are used to improve stability against acid exposure, then mechanical stability and resistance to acidic compounds are improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates due to stricter environmental regulations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against acid exposureVSAvoidenvironmental compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chromium-containing catalysts with copper-based catalysts having a specific composition (CuAl a Mn b Zn c O d) and controlled physical properties (surface area 30-80 m²/g, pore volume 0.2-0.5 cm³/g, particle size 0.5-5 mm). This parameter change achieves comparable acid resistance (lateral compressive strength >50 N after acid treatment) without chromium, resolving the contradiction between reliability and environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copper-based catalysts that can be easily replaced and are less environmentally problematic than chromium catalysts. The catalysts are designed with sufficient mechanical stability for their intended lifecycle but can be disposed of or regenerated without severe environmental consequences, addressing the environmental compatibility issue while maintaining operational reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional catalysts are used without sufficient mechanical stability, then ease of manufacture is improved, but catalytic activity is reduced due to leaching of active metals under acidic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst production simplicityVSAvoidcatalytic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite catalyst material CuAl a Mn b Zn c O d combining multiple metal oxides with specific ratios (a: 0.5-2.0, b: 0.1-0.5, c: 0.5-2.0). This composite structure provides both mechanical stability (resistance to acid-induced fragmentation) and sustained catalytic activity by preventing metal leaching, while remaining manufacturable through conventional mixing and shaping processes followed by thermal treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If catalysts with high mechanical stability are designed to resist acid attack, then reliability under harsh conditions is improved, but device complexity increases due to specific composition and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stability under acid conditionsVSAvoidcatalyst composition and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges for the catalyst composition (CuAl a Mn b Zn c O d with controlled stoichiometry) and physical properties (surface area, pore volume, particle size) that optimize both mechanical stability and ease of manufacture. These parameter specifications balance reliability requirements with manufacturing simplicity, avoiding excessive complexity while achieving the desired acid resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific local properties of the catalyst: surface area (30-80 m²/g) for catalytic activity, pore volume (0.2-0.5 cm³/g) for reactant access, and particle size (0.5-5 mm) for mechanical stability. These localized quality adjustments achieve high reliability without requiring complex overall catalyst design or processing

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 improved mechanical stability and resistance to acidic compounds, maintaining high catalytic activity under harsh conditions, as evidenced by significantly higher lateral compressive strength after acid treatment compared to reference catalysts.

Implementation Method 1

calcium aluminate as a binder in a weight fraction of 0.5 to 10.0 wt.%, based on the catalyst body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBinding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The catalyst body is produced by mixing, tableting, and thermal treatment, followed by reduction and stabilization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 3

followed by reduction and stabilization to enhance mechanical stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 4

catalyst for the hydrogenation of carbonyl groups in organic compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3554691B1Pelletised copper-manganese-based catalyst with increased resistance to acidic environment
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 CLARIANT INT LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to a copper manganese-based catalyst on the basis of a tablet-form shaped catalyst body, comprising calcium aluminate as a binder, for hydrating carbonyl groups in organic compounds, characterised in that said shaped catalyst body comprises calcium aluminate in an amount of 0.5 to 20 wt.%. The invention also relates to the production of the catalyst and to the use of same in the hydration of carbonyl groups in organic compounds.