Catalytic pyrolysis using UZM-44 aluminosilicate zeolite

#This invention relates to a new family of aluminosilicate zeolites designated UZM-44 as the catalytic composite for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass. They are represented by the empirical formula of: NanMmk+TtAl1-xExSiyOz where M represents a metal or metals from zinc or Group 1 (IUPAC 1), Group 2 (IUPAC 2), Group 3 (IUPAC 3) or the lanthanide series of the periodic table, T is the organic directing agent or agents derived from reactants R and Q where R is an A,Ω-dihalo substituted alkane such as 1,5-dibromopentane and Q is at least one neutral amine having 6 or fewer carbon atoms such as 1-methylpyrrolidine. E is a framework element such as gallium.

#Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicate compositions which are microporous and which are formed from corner sharing AlO2 and SiO2 tetrahedra. Numerous zeolites, both naturally occurring and synthetically prepared, are used in various industrial processes. Synthetic zeolites are prepared via hydrothermal synthesis employing suitable sources of Si, Al and structure directing agents such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, amines, or organoammonium cations. The structure directing agents reside in the pores of the zeolite and are largely responsible for the particular structure that is ultimately formed. These species balance the framework charge associated with aluminum and can also serve as space fillers. Zeolites are characterized by having pore openings of uniform dimensions, having a significant ion exchange capacity, and being capable of reversibly desorbing an adsorbed phase which is dispersed throughout the internal voids of the crystal without significantly displacing any atoms which make up the permanent zeolite crystal structure. Zeolites can be used as catalysts for hydrocarbon conversion reactions, which can take place on outside surfaces as well as on internal surfaces within the pore.

#A particular zeolite, IM-5, was first disclosed by Benazzi, et al. in 1996 (FR96/12873; WO98/17581) who describe the synthesis of IM-5 from the flexible dicationic structure directing agent, 1,5-bis(N-methylpyrrolidinium)pentane dibromide or 1,6-bis(N-methylpyrrolidinium)hexane dibromide in the presence of sodium. After the structure of IM-5 was solved by Baerlocher et al. (Science, 2007, 315, 113-6), the International Zeolite Structure Commission gave the code of IMF to this zeolite structure type, see Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types. The IMF structure type was found to contain three mutually orthogonal sets of channels in which each channel is defined by a 10-membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, however, connectivity in the third dimension is interrupted every 2.5 nm, therefore diffusion is somewhat limited. In addition, multiple different sizes of 10-membered ring channels exist in the structure.

#FIG. 1 is an XRD pattern of the UZM-44 zeolite formed in Example 1. This pattern shows the UZM-44 zeolite in the as-synthesized form.

#FIG. 2 is also an XRD pattern of the UZM-44 zeolite formed in Example 1. This pattern shows the UZM-44 zeolite in the H+ form.

#FIG. 3 is a plot derived from the N2 BET experiment where dV/d log(D) is plotted against the pore diameter. This plot shows the incremental amount of nitrogen adsorbed at each pore diameter measured.

#Applicants have prepared a catalytic component suitable for catalyzing the pyrolysis of carbonaceous biomass where the catalytic component is an aluminosilicate zeolite whose topological structure is related to IMF as described in Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types, which is maintained by the International Zeolite Association Structure Commission at http://www.iza-structure.org/databases/, the member of which has been designated IM-5. As will be shown in detail, UZM-44 is different from IM-5 in a number of its characteristics including its micropore volume. The instant microporous crystalline zeolite, UZM-44, has an empirical composition in the as synthesized and anhydrous basis expressed by an empirical formula of: NanMmk+TtAl1-xExSiyOz where “n” is the mole ratio of Na to (Al+E) and has a value from approximately 0.05 to 0.5, M represents a metal or metals selected from the group consisting of zinc, Group 1 (IUPAC 1), Group 2 (IUPAC 2), Group 3 (IUPAC 3), the lanthanide series of the periodic table, and any combination thereof, “m” is the mole ratio of M to (Al+E) and has a value from 0 to 0.5, “k” is the average charge of the metal or metals M, T is the organic structure directing agent or agents derived from reactants R and Q where R is an A,Ω-dihalogen substituted alkane having 5 carbon atoms and Q is at least one neutral monoamine having 6 or fewer carbon atoms, “t” is the mole ratio of N from the organic structure directing agent or agents to (Al+E) and has a value of from 0.5 to 1.5, E is an element selected from the group consisting of gallium, iron, boron and combinations thereof, “x” is the mole fraction of E and has a value from 0 to about 1.0, “y” is the mole ratio of Si to (Al+E) and varies from greater than 9 to about 25 and “z” is the mole ratio of O to (Al+E) and has a value determined by the equation: z=(n+k·m+3+4·y)/2 Where M is only one metal, then the weighted average valence is the valence of that one metal, i.e. +1 or +2. However, when more than one M metal is present, the total amount of: Mmk+=Mm1(k1)++Mm2(k2)++Mm3(k3)++Mm4(k4)++ . . . and the weighted average valence “k” is given by the equation:

#k = m ⁢ ⁢ 1 · k ⁢ ⁢ 1 + m ⁢ ⁢ 2 · k ⁢ ⁢ 2 + m ⁢ ⁢ 3 · k ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ … m ⁢ ⁢ 1 + m ⁢ ⁢ 2 + m ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ …

#In one embodiment, the microporous crystalline zeolite, UZM-44, is synthesized by a hydrothermal crystallization of a reaction mixture prepared by combining reactive sources of sodium, organic structure directing agent or agents T, aluminum, silicon, and optionally E, M, or both. The reaction mixture does not comprise seeds of a layered material L. The sources of aluminum include but are not limited to aluminum alkoxides, precipitated aluminas, aluminum metal, aluminum hydroxide, sodium aluminate, aluminum salts and alumina sols. Specific examples of aluminum alkoxides include, but are not limited to aluminum sec-butoxide and aluminum ortho isopropoxide. Sources of silica include but are not limited to tetraethylorthosilicate, colloidal silica, precipitated silica and alkali silicates. Sources of sodium include but are not limited to sodium hydroxide, sodium bromide, sodium aluminate, and sodium silicate.