Shaped Catalyst Production via Centrifugal Granulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional catalysts for producing butadiene and unsaturated aldehydes/ acids lack sufficient mechanical strength and catalytic performance, particularly in terms of selectivity and stability, due to low relative centrifugal forces used in their production processes.

Innovation Solution

A process for producing a shaped catalyst by tumbling granulation with a specific relative centrifugal force of 1 to 35 G, using a complex metal oxide composition and supporting it on an inert substrate, which enhances both mechanical strength and catalytic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional tumbling granulation method with low relative centrifugal force is used, then catalyst production is simple, but mechanical strength and catalytic performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the relative centrifugal force from conventional low values to a specific range of 10-35 G during tumbling granulation. This parameter modification directly improves mechanical strength and catalytic performance while maintaining the overall tumbling granulation process framework, thus resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control of rotation speed and rotation radius in the tumbling granulation apparatus to achieve the desired relative centrifugal force range. By dynamically adjusting these parameters during the granulation process, the system achieves optimal mechanical strength and catalytic performance without requiring fundamentally different equipment or processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional tumbling granulation with low relative centrifugal force is used, then production process is simple, but selectivity and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic performance stabilityVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the relative centrifugal force parameter to 10-35 G during tumbling granulation, which directly enhances catalyst selectivity and operational stability. This parameter optimization improves reliability without fundamentally changing the production process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional low-force mechanical granulation with a controlled high-relative-centrifugal-force tumbling system. This substitution improves catalyst performance stability by ensuring more uniform particle formation and better mechanical properties, while the process remains within the framework of mechanical tumbling granulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If high relative centrifugal force is applied during tumbling granulation, then mechanical strength and catalytic performance are improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst performance efficiencyVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the relative centrifugal force to a specific range of 10-35 G, which improves catalyst productivity and performance efficiency. By defining this specific parameter range, the patent achieves high performance without excessive process complexity, as the change is confined to controllable operational parameters rather than fundamental process redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of rotation speed and rotation radius to achieve the desired relative centrifugal force. This dynamic approach allows flexible adjustment to maintain optimal performance while adapting to different production scales and requirements, thereby managing complexity effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 resulting catalyst exhibits high mechanical strength and catalytic performance, achieving efficient conversion and yield in reactions such as butadiene production from n-butene and unsaturated aldehyde/acid production from unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Implementation Method 1

a production process by a tumbling granulation method is disclosed. Specifically, a spherical support necessary for attaining a desired catalyst diameter is placed in a tumbling granulation apparatus and a liquid as a binder and a catalyst-active ingredient and/or a precursor thereof are sprinkled on the support with rotating the shaping machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS9573127B2Process for producing shaped catalyst and process for producing diene or unsaturated aldehyde and/or unsaturated carboxylic acid using the shaped catalyst
Publication Date: 2017.02.21 NIPPON KAYAKU CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a process for producing a shaped catalyst for a fixed bed oxidation reaction or a fixed bed oxidative dehydrogenation reaction, the catalyst having both of sufficient mechanical strength and catalyst performance, and the catalyst is produced by supporting a catalyst powder containing a complex metal oxide having molybdenum as an essential ingredient on an inert support by a tumbling granulation method at a relative centrifugal force of 1 to 35 G.