Cobalt-molybdenum sulfide catalyst materials and methods for ethanol production from syngas
AssigneeRange Fuels, Inc.
InventorsKarl Kharas, Jason P. Durand
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the chemical conversion of syngas to alcohols. The invention includes catalyst compositions, methods of making the catalyst compositions, and methods of using the catalyst compositions. Certain embodiments teach compositions for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. These compositions generally include cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur. Preferred catalyst compositions for converting syngas into alcohols include cobalt associated with sulfide in certain preferred stoichiometries as described and taught herein.
Claims27
A composition for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, said composition comprising cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur,
- wherein at least some of said cobalt and some of said sulfur are present as a cobalt-sulfur association, and
- wherein the molar ratio of sulfur to cobalt (S:Co) in said association is at least 1.2,
- said molar ratio S:Co calculated after assigning some of said sulfur to molybdenum by assuming all molybdenum is present in said composition as MoS2.
A catalyst composition for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into at least some ethanol, said composition comprising 13-15 wt % total cobalt, 40-45 wt % total molybdenum, at least 40 wt % total sulfur, and at least 0.01 wt % of a base promoter, wherein:
- (i) said total sulfur includes between 250-750 ppm elemental sulfur;
- (ii) at least some of said total cobalt and some of said total sulfur are present as a cobalt-sulfur association having a molar ratio of sulfur to cobalt (S:Co) of at least 2.0, said molar ratio S:Co calculated assuming all molybdenum is present as MoS2, and after subtracting sulfur that is capable of leaching into chloroform or 3 N HCl at 25° C.;
- (iii) less than about 3% of said total cobalt is capable of leaching into a 3 N HCl solution at 90° C.;
- and
- (iv) less than about 0.5% of said total molybdenum is capable of leaching into a 3N HCl solution at 90° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.