Sulfur-Tolerant Catalyst for Bio-Ethanol Amination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of bio-ethanol in amination processes leads to faster catalyst deactivation due to sulfur and sulfur-containing compounds, resulting in increased production costs, catalyst replacement needs, and safety risks, as these compounds poison the catalytically active metal surfaces of heterogeneous catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A process where bio-ethanol is used with a heterogeneous catalyst that has been previously poisoned with sulfur, allowing for the subsequent amination of iso-propanol to mono-isopropylamine (MIPA) without catalyst exchange or activation, while also producing ethylamines, using the same reactor and catalyst, with iso-propanol being produced by hydrogenating acetone in an upstream reactor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bio-ethanol is used in amination processes, then renewable and cost-effective raw material is utilized, but catalyst deactivation occurs faster due to sulfur poisoning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of converting harm into benefit by using a sulfur-tolerant catalyst formulation that transforms the harmful sulfur content in bio-ethanol from a catalyst-poisoning factor into an acceptable impurity level. The Cu/Ni/Co catalyst with specific metal ratios and sulfur tolerance allows the process to utilize cost-effective bio-ethanol while maintaining catalyst stability, effectively converting the disadvantage of sulfur content into a manageable parameter that enables renewable feedstock usage without sacrificing catalyst reliability
2Reliability
If catalyst is frequently replaced due to sulfur poisoning, then catalyst activity is maintained, but production costs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the catalyst with specific Cu/Ni/Co ratios and sulfur-tolerant properties before the amination process begins. This pre-engineered catalyst composition proactively addresses the sulfur poisoning issue that would otherwise require frequent catalyst replacement, allowing continuous operation with bio-ethanol while maintaining catalyst activity and reducing production interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the catalyst's metal composition ratios (Cu:Ni:Co) and physical properties to achieve sulfur tolerance. By changing the catalyst's chemical parameters - specifically the metal ratio and sulfur capacity - the system enables continuous operation with sulfur-containing bio-ethanol, transforming the catalyst from a sulfur-sensitive component to a sulfur-tolerant one that maintains activity without frequent replacement
3Reliability
If sulfur-containing compounds are removed from bio-ethanol, then catalyst poisoning is prevented, but additional processing steps and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing a catalyst that directly tolerates sulfur-containing compounds rather than removing them through additional processing steps. The Cu/Ni/Co catalyst formulation with enhanced sulfur capacity converts the harmful sulfur content into a manageable parameter, eliminating the need for complex sulfur removal units and simplifying the overall process while protecting catalyst activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the catalyst's chemical composition and sulfur tolerance parameters to accept bio-ethanol with higher sulfur content. This parameter optimization eliminates the need for additional sulfur removal processing steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining catalyst protection through inherent sulfur tolerance rather than external purification
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 maintains high conversion and selectivity for MIPA production without catalyst exchange or detoxification, reducing production costs and safety risks, and allows for continuous operation with bio-ethanol containing sulfur, achieving efficient and economical production of ethylamines and MIPA.
Implementation Method 1
bio-ethanol is reacted with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous catalyst to form ethylamines
Implementation Method 2
reacts iso-propanol with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen to form MIPA
Implementation Method 3
the catalytically active metal surface of the respective heterogeneous catalyst becomes more and more covered over time with the sulfur or sulfur compounds introduced by the bio-alcohol
Data Source
AI summary
Method for producing ethylamines and monoisopropylamine (MIPA), in which bioethanol is reacted with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous catalyst to form ethylamines, wherein the bioethanol contains sulphur and/or sulphur-containing compounds of >= 0.1 ppm by weight (calculated S), and then in the presence of the same catalyst, isopropanol is reacted with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen to form MIPA.