Titanium Silicalite Catalyst Regeneration via Low-Temperature Chemical Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Titanium silicalite catalysts used in epoxidation reactions become fouled due to plugged pores, reducing oxirane production and increasing costs, as existing regeneration methods like thermal oxidation are impractical and chemical oxidation introduces contamination.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a regeneration solution with an oxidizing agent concentration of 0.10-0.50 wt% and pH adjusted to less than 2, which includes a washing step with an organic compound to restore catalytic activity, or alternatively, using a solution with both an oxidizing agent and an organic compound without additional washing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal oxidation is used to regenerate the catalyst, then the catalyst activity is restored, but the process becomes impractical due to high temperature requirements and equipment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the regeneration parameters from high-temperature thermal oxidation to low-temperature chemical oxidation using hydrogen peroxide solution at 0-100°C (preferably 20-80°C), making the process practical while maintaining regeneration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal oxidation mechanism with chemical oxidation using hydrogen peroxide, substituting a complex high-temperature thermal process with a simpler chemical reaction that occurs at lower temperatures
2Ease of manufacture
If chemical oxidation is used to regenerate the catalyst, then the regeneration process becomes simpler, but contamination is introduced into the catalyst system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (0.10-0.50 wt%) and controls pH (less than 2) to achieve effective regeneration while minimizing contamination, and includes a washing step with organic compound to remove residual peroxide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful organic foulants from the catalyst pores through oxidation and subsequently removes residual oxidizing agents through washing with organic compounds, eliminating contamination
3Productivity
If the oxidizing agent concentration is increased to improve regeneration efficiency, then the regeneration speed increases, but the contamination and side reactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the oxidizing agent concentration to a specific range (0.10-0.50 wt%) that balances regeneration speed with minimal contamination, and controls pH (less than 2) to enhance oxidation efficiency while preventing unwanted side reactions
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
Effectively regenerates titanium silicalite catalysts, maintaining or closely approaching the productivity and selectivity of fresh catalysts, thereby reducing production costs and minimizing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the fouled titanium silicalite catalyst with a regeneration solution that includes at least one oxidizing agent to provide a regenerated titanium silicalite catalyst
Implementation Method 2
The pH of the regeneration solution is adjusted to less than 2 prior to contacting the fouled titanium silicalite catalyst with the regeneration solution
Implementation Method 3
the regenerated titanium silicalite catalyst is washed with an organic compound
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a process for regenerating a titanium silicalite catalyst by contacting the fouled titanium silicalite catalyst with a regeneration solution that includes at least one oxidizing agent.