Ruthenium Cobalt Catalyst for Ethylene Amine Selectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for preparing ethylene amines and ethanolamines by hydrogenative amination of monoethylene glycol (MEG) with ammonia suffer from low selectivity and catalyst/product separation issues, with high yields of undesirable by-products like piperazine and cyclic amines, and require high-purity ethylene oxide as a starting material.
Innovation Solution
A process using a catalyst comprising ruthenium and cobalt in small, shaped catalyst bodies with specific dimensions, supported on metal oxides, operates at elevated temperatures and pressures, and employs a molar ratio of MEG to ammonia to achieve high selectivity for ethylenediamine (EDA) and diethylenetriamine (DETA) with reduced formation of cyclic amines, utilizing a single-pass reactor configuration and optional additional catalysts for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional catalysts are used for hydrogenative amination of MEG, then the reaction proceeds, but selectivity for desired products (EDA and DETA) is low and formation of cyclic amines is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the catalyst composition with specific metal ratios (Ni:Cu:Co = 100:0.5-5:0.5-5 wt%), controlling particle size (0.5-3 mm), and adjusting reaction conditions (temperature 150-250°C, pressure 50-200 bar, molar ratio MEG:ammonia 1:3-1:10) to achieve high selectivity for EDA and DETA while minimizing cyclic amine formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite catalyst materials combining nickel, copper, and cobalt on oxide supports (alumina, silica, or mixed oxides). This composite structure synergistically enhances catalytic activity and selectivity, where nickel provides main catalytic function, copper suppresses cyclic amine formation, and cobalt improves stability and selectivity for desired products
2Productivity
If suspended catalysts are used, then catalytic activity is achieved, but catalyst/product separation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous supported catalysts where active metals (Ni, Cu, Co) are dispersed on oxide supports with controlled porosity. The porous structure provides high surface area for catalytic activity while the solid supported form enables easy separation from liquid reaction products through filtration or decantation, eliminating the need for complex separation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses robust supported catalysts that can be easily separated and potentially regenerated or replaced. The solid supported catalyst form allows for simple disposal or regeneration procedures compared to suspended catalyst systems, reducing long-term operational complexity
3Quantity of substance
If known processes are used for preparing ethylene amines, then products are obtained, but yields of higher ethylene amines and EDA are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: catalyst composition (Ni:Cu:Co ratios), particle size (0.5-3 mm), temperature (150-250°C), pressure (50-200 bar), and molar ratio of MEG to ammonia (1:3 to 1:10). This multi-parameter optimization achieves both high conversion and high selectivity for EDA and DETA, producing 60-80 wt% desired products
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
This approach achieves selectivities of EDA and DETA greater than 60% by weight, limits piperazine derivatives to less than 20%, and maintains high conversion of MEG, with improved catalyst durability and reduced formation of undesirable by-products, enhancing the overall efficiency of the ethylene amine production process.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogenating amination of monoethylene glycol and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst
Implementation Method 2
reaction of MEOA with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A process for preparing ethylene amines and ethanolamines by hydrogenative amination of monoethylene glycol and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a catalyst having an active composition comprising ruthenium and cobalt and no further additional metal of group VIII and also no metal of group IB is used in the form of shaped catalyst bodies which in the case of a spherical shape or rod shape in each case have a diameter of <3 mm, in the case of a pellet shape have a height of <3 mm and in the case of all other geometries in each case have an equivalent diameter L=1/a′ of <0.70 mm, where a′ is the external surface area per unit volume (mms2/mmp3) and:a′=ApVpwhere Ap is the external surface area of the shaped catalyst body (mms2) and Vp is the volume of the shaped catalyst body (mmp3), is proposed.