Rare Earth Modified TON Catalyst for Paraffin Isomerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dewaxing methods for raw oil containing wax, such as solvent dewaxing and catalytic dewaxing, face issues like solvent waste, environmental pollution, low yield of base oil, and high viscosity loss, while isomerization dewaxing catalysts with weak acidity and low selectivity fail to effectively reduce wax solidifying points and improve lubricating oil yield.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst for paraffin isomerization comprising a TON molecular sieve modified by rare earth and an inorganic refractory oxide modified by zirconium oxide, combined with a noble metal of group VIII, which adjusts acidity and enhances isomerization selectivity, reducing side reactions and improving the yield and viscosity index of lubricating oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If solvent dewaxing method is used to remove wax, then the solidifying point of raw oil is reduced, but it causes solvent waste, environmental pollution, high equipment investment cost, and operation cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the solvent from the dewaxing process entirely, replacing it with a catalytic isomerization method that uses a fixed-bed reactor and catalyst bed. This eliminates solvent waste, pollution, and the associated high equipment investment and operation costs while still achieving the goal of reducing the solidifying point of raw oil.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical solvent-based dewaxing system with a chemical catalytic isomerization system. The fixed-bed reactor with catalyst bed substitutes the solvent extraction mechanism, transforming the process from a physical separation method to a chemical transformation method that is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
2Temperature
If catalytic dewaxing method is used to remove wax, then the solidifying point of raw oil is reduced, but it converts macromolecular compounds into smaller molecular materials, resulting in low base oil yield and great viscosity index loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by using a specific catalyst system (zeolite Y with rare earth modification and metal dispersion) and controlling reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, space velocity) to favor isomerization over cracking. This parameter optimization ensures that macromolecular wax compounds are converted to isoparaffins with similar molecular weight rather than being cracked into smaller molecules, thereby maintaining high base oil yield and viscosity index.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite catalyst system combining zeolite Y with rare earth modification and metal dispersion. This composite structure provides both the shape-selective isomerization function of zeolite Y and the enhanced catalytic activity of the metal components, enabling selective conversion of n-paraffins to isoparaffins while preserving molecular weight and maximizing base oil yield.
3Ease of operation
If isomerization dewaxing catalyst with moderate acidity is used, then paraffins can be isomerized to some extent, but most acidic centers are covered during catalyst preparation, resulting in weak catalyst acidity and low activity and selectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by using rare earth elements to specifically modify the acidity distribution on the zeolite Y surface. This creates localized highly active acidic centers that are not covered during preparation, concentrating the catalytic activity in specific regions of the catalyst structure. This local enhancement of acidity provides both high isomerization capability and excellent catalyst stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary modification of the zeolite Y structure with rare earth elements before the catalyst preparation process. This preliminary action ensures that the acidic centers are established and protected from being covered during subsequent preparation steps, guaranteeing high catalyst activity and selectivity from the outset while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If catalyst with high acidity is used, then it has strong resistance to sulfonitriding poisoning and good stability, but it promotes side reactions such as cracking reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the acidity parameter by using rare earth modification to create acidic centers with optimal strength and distribution. This parameter control ensures sufficient acidity for stability and resistance to poisoning, while the shape-selective pore structure of zeolite Y and controlled metal dispersion limit the promotion of side reactions like cracking, achieving a balance between stability and selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite catalyst system where zeolite Y provides the stable framework and shape-selective pores, rare earth modification provides the optimized acidity, and metal dispersion provides the catalytic activity. This composite structure achieves high stability and resistance to sulfonitriding poisoning while the shape-selective pores and controlled composition suppress side reactions such as cracking.
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 catalyst effectively lowers the solidifying points of raw oil containing paraffins, increases the yield of liquid products, and enhances the viscosity index of lubricating oil, providing a higher application value in dewaxing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst for paraffin isomerization, comprising a TON molecular sieve modified by rare earth, an inorganic refractory oxide modified by zirconium oxide and a noble metal of group VIII
Implementation Method 2
the acidic components should have a pore structure with moderate intensity, large acid amount and space limitation function
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a catalyst for paraffin isomerization, as well as a preparation method and use thereof. The catalyst comprises a TON molecular sieve modified by rare earth, an inorganic refractory oxide modified by zirconium oxide and a noble metal of group VIII. The weight ratio of the TON molecular sieve modified by rare earth to the inorganic refractory oxides modified by zirconium oxide is 10:90 to 90:10, and the content of the metal of group VIII is 0.1 to 10 wt % based on the metal. When used in the process of isomerization dewaxing of various raw materials containing paraffins, the catalyst can not only decrease the solidifying points of raw oil containing paraffins, but also increase the yield of liquid products. Particularly, when used in the process of isomerization dewaxing of lubricating oil distillates, the catalyst is advantageous in producing base oil for lubricating oil with a high a higher yield, a lower pour point (solidifying point) and a higher viscosity index.