SSZ-13 coated 3D-printed zeolite monolith for alcohol conversion
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Rownaghi, Ali
Advisor's Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Funding Source
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE); University of Missouri Research Board (UMRB)
Abstract
The production of light olefins from methanol provides a commercially feasible route to ethylene and propylene from non-petroleum sources, such as natural gas, coal, and biomass. Such significant process can be realized over microporous aluminosilicate (zeolite) solid acid catalysts. With CHA topology, SSZ-13 zeolite was characterized and tested as an important catalysts for this process due to its proper acid strength and small pore channels. However, it is also because of the size of the pores that the rapid deactivation of this catalyst was observed and can hardly be avoided even by changing Si/Al ratios. As another optional catalyst for this alcohol conversion, HZSM-5 zeolite with larger pores are more often used despite of lower selectivity towards light olefins. Fabrication of monolithic catalyst is a considerable strategy to enhance its selectivity due to its advantages in configuration which leads to low pressure drop, high thermal stability, great mechanical integrity, good mass transfer and negligible contamination. Recent development of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques also facilitate the application of monolith in catalytic reaction.
In this research project, we will fabricate 3D-printed HZSM-5 monolith first by using an extrudable paste made from HZSM-5 zeolite, bentonite clay and methyl cellulose. Nano-sized SSZ-13 seeds will synthesized and evenly coated on HZSM-5 monolithic catalyst. Secondary growth of SSZ-13 layer will be carried out in an autoclave and the obtained SSZ-13 coated HZSM-5 monolith will be characterized and tested for alcohol conversion.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium
Presentation Date
17 Apr 2018, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
SSZ-13 coated 3D-printed zeolite monolith for alcohol conversion
Upper Atrium
The production of light olefins from methanol provides a commercially feasible route to ethylene and propylene from non-petroleum sources, such as natural gas, coal, and biomass. Such significant process can be realized over microporous aluminosilicate (zeolite) solid acid catalysts. With CHA topology, SSZ-13 zeolite was characterized and tested as an important catalysts for this process due to its proper acid strength and small pore channels. However, it is also because of the size of the pores that the rapid deactivation of this catalyst was observed and can hardly be avoided even by changing Si/Al ratios. As another optional catalyst for this alcohol conversion, HZSM-5 zeolite with larger pores are more often used despite of lower selectivity towards light olefins. Fabrication of monolithic catalyst is a considerable strategy to enhance its selectivity due to its advantages in configuration which leads to low pressure drop, high thermal stability, great mechanical integrity, good mass transfer and negligible contamination. Recent development of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques also facilitate the application of monolith in catalytic reaction.
In this research project, we will fabricate 3D-printed HZSM-5 monolith first by using an extrudable paste made from HZSM-5 zeolite, bentonite clay and methyl cellulose. Nano-sized SSZ-13 seeds will synthesized and evenly coated on HZSM-5 monolithic catalyst. Secondary growth of SSZ-13 layer will be carried out in an autoclave and the obtained SSZ-13 coated HZSM-5 monolith will be characterized and tested for alcohol conversion.
