SSZ-91 Molecular Sieve Low Aspect Ratio Hydrocracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for ZSM-48 molecular sieves with a low degree of hydrocracking, phase purity, and low structural disorder to enhance catalytic performance in hydrocarbon conversion processes, as existing ZSM-48 materials suffer from high hydrocracking and poor selectivity due to planar faults and high aspect ratios.

Innovation Solution

The development of molecular sieve SSZ-91, characterized by a low aspect ratio, high polytype 6 composition, and low EU-1 content, is achieved through a method involving the use of hexamethonium cations and specific silicon and aluminum oxide sources under controlled crystallization conditions, resulting in a substantially phase-pure material with reduced faulting and improved diffusion pathways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ZSM-48 materials are used, then catalytic activity is achieved, but hydrocracking increases and selectivity decreases due to planar faults and high aspect ratios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic performanceVSAvoidhydrocracking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystallographic parameters by synthesizing polytype 6 ZSM-48 with specific stacking sequences that reduce planar faults. The aspect ratio is controlled by adjusting synthesis conditions to achieve crystals with length/diameter ratio of 1-8, significantly lower than conventional materials. These parameter changes directly reduce hydrocracking while maintaining catalytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates local structural quality improvements by reducing planar faults in specific regions of the crystal structure. The polytype 6 structure with reduced stacking faults provides localized regions with better diffusion pathways and lower hydrocracking activity, while maintaining the overall ZSM-48 framework topology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If ZSM-48 materials with high aspect ratio are used, then catalytic activity is achieved, but structural disorder increases due to planar faults

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidstructural order
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the stacking sequence parameter of the crystal structure to achieve polytype 6 with reduced planar faults. By controlling the synthesis conditions to produce crystals with specific stacking patterns, the structural order is improved while maintaining the catalytically active ZSM-48 framework structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional ZSM-48 synthesis methods are used, then material is produced, but phase purity is poor due to multiple polytypes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial productionVSAvoidphase purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the synthesis parameters including composition ratios, temperature, and time to selectively favor the formation of polytype 6 ZSM-48. These parameter adjustments shift the crystallization pathway to produce predominantly phase-pure polytype 6 material rather than mixtures of multiple polytypes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by adding seed crystals of polytype 6 ZSM-48 to the synthesis mixture before crystallization. These seeds provide a template that directs the subsequent crystal growth to form primarily polytype 6 structure, preventing the formation of other polytypes and achieving phase purity.

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

SSZ-91 exhibits superior catalytic performance with reduced hydrocracking and increased selectivity, as demonstrated by its ability to maintain high isomerization selectivity and low gas make during hydroprocessing, outperforming conventional ZSM-48 materials with higher aspect ratios and disorder.

Implementation Method 1

The development of molecular sieve SSZ-91, characterized by a low aspect ratio, high polytype 6 composition, and low EU-1 content, is achieved through a method involving the use of hexamethonium cations and specific silicon and aluminum oxide sources under controlled crystallization conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

SSZ-91 exhibits superior catalytic performance with reduced hydrocracking and increased selectivity, as demonstrated by its ability to maintain high isomerization selectivity and low gas make during hydroprocessing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

Planar faults located near the surface limit diffusion pathways otherwise required in order to allow feedstock components to access the catalytically active portions of the pore system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3341329B1Molecular sieve SSZ-91 and uses for SSZ-91
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 CHEVRON USA INC
  • EP3341329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3341329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3341329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A family of new crystalline molecular sieves designated SSZ-91 is disclosed, as are methods for making SSZ-91 and uses for SSZ-91. Molecular sieve SSZ-91 is structurally similar to sieves falling within the ZSM-48 family of molecular sieves, and is characterized as: (1) having a low degree of faulting, (2) a low aspect ratio that inhibits hydrocracking as compared to conventional ZSM-48 materials having an aspect ratio of greater than 8, and (3) is substantially phase pure.