Methods for improving syngas-to-alcohol catalyst activity and selectivity
AssigneeRange Fuels, Inc.
InventorsPatrick J. ALSUM, Esther M. Wilcox, Jesse E. Hensley, Karl Kharas
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Abstract
The invention herein provides methods of activating a catalyst composition. These methods include annealing a catalyst with an inert gas, under effective conditions, and then contacting the annealed catalyst with syngas to produce an activated catalyst. These steps can also be reversed. The activated catalysts can be employed to convert syngas into products, such as alcohols, with improved selectivities and yields.
Claims44
A method of activating a catalyst, said method comprising:
- (a) annealing said catalyst with a first gas phase comprising an inert gas, under effective conditions including a first temperature and a first pressure, thereby producing an annealed catalyst;
- and
- (b) contacting said annealed catalyst with a second gas phase comprising syngas, under conditions comprising a second temperature and a second pressure, thereby producing an activated catalyst.
A method of activating a catalyst, said method comprising:
- (a) contacting said catalyst with a first gas phase comprising syngas, under conditions comprising a first temperature and a first pressure, thereby producing a pre-activated catalyst;
- and
- (b) annealing said pre-activated catalyst with a second gas phase consisting essentially of an inert gas, under effective conditions comprising a second temperature and a second pressure, thereby producing an activated catalyst.
A method of activating a Co/Mo/S/K catalyst, said method comprising:
- (a) annealing said catalyst with helium at a temperature of about 310° C. and a pressure of about 1270 psi, thereby producing an annealed catalyst;
- and
- (b) contacting said annealed catalyst with syngas at a temperature of about 280° C. and a pressure of about 1270 psi, thereby producing an activated Co/Mo/S/K catalyst.
A method of producing an annealed catalyst intermediate, said method comprising:
- (a) providing an effective starting catalyst composition;
- and
- (b) annealing said starting catalyst composition with a first gas phase comprising an inert gas, under effective conditions, thereby producing an annealed catalyst intermediate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.