IP Library › Granted Patent US 12673317
Granted Patent B2
US 12673317 · App. 18/027,808 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Process for recovering and regenerating a catalyst from ash

Inventors: Davide Ansovini (Amsterdam, NL); Benjamin McKay (Amsterdam, NL); Jagdeep Singh (Amsterdam, NL)
Assignee: Avantium Knowledge Centre B.V.
B01J23/92B01J23/30B01J38/52B01J38/60C07C29/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12673317
App. No.
18/027,808
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process for recovering and regenerating a tungsten compound suitable as co-catalyst in converting carbohydrates with hydrogen into alkylene glycols and polyols, from ash comprising one or more tungsten-oxygen components (e.g. comprising a tungstate and/or tungstic acid). Such ash is obtainable from burning a liquid mixture comprising alkylene glycols and/or polyols and sodium tungstate and/or tungstic acid.

Claims (16)

1 . A process for recovering and regenerating a tungsten compound suitable as co-catalyst in converting carbohydrates with hydrogen into alkylene glycols and polyols, from ash comprising one or more tungsten-oxygen components wherein said process comprises the steps of:

a. contacting the ash with an inorganic acid having a pH of below 2;

b. separating the mixture obtained from step a. in a solid fraction and a liquid fraction;

c. washing the solid fraction obtained by step b. with an aqueous liquid; and

d. solubilising at least a part of the washed solids obtained by step c. in an alkylene glycol composition and dissolving an alkali hydroxide in said alkylene glycol composition, wherein the amount of alkali hydroxide is chosen such that the molar ratio alkali hydroxide:tungstic acid in the resulting composition is between 0.2 and 2.

2 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic acid in step a. has a pH of below 1.

3 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic acid in step a. comprises hydrochloric acid.

4 . The process according to claim 3 , wherein the inorganic acid in step a. comprises hydrochloric acid in a concentration of between 1 and 6 M.

5 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of inorganic acid in step a. is such that the weight ratio inorganic acid:ash is between 50:1 and 1:1.

6 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more tungsten-oxygen components of the ash comprises an alkali tungstate and/or tungstic acid.

7 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkali hydroxide added in step d. comprises sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a mixture thereof.

8 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of alkali hydroxide in step d. is such that the molar ratio alkali hydroxide:tungstic acid in the resulting composition is between 0.3 and 1.5.

9 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkylene glycol composition in step d. comprises at least 50% by weight of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.

10 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the ash is obtainable from burning a liquid mixture comprising alkylene glycols and/or polyols as well as sodium tungstate and/or tungstic acid.

11 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the polyols comprise one or more of glycerol, sorbitol, erythritol.

12 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the tungsten compound suitable as co-catalyst in converting carbohydrates with hydrogen into alkylene glycols and polyols that is produced by the regeneration comprises tungstic acid.