Catalysts, preparation method thereof, and selective hydrogenation processes
The present invention relates to a process for making 1,4-butanediol. The process may include reacting a solution comprising 1,4-butynediol with hydrogen in a presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may include cerium.
1. A process for making 1,4-butanediol, the process comprising: reacting a solution comprising 1,4-butynediol with hydrogen in a presence of a catalyst;
wherein:
the catalyst comprises cerium; and
the catalyst is a skeletal catalyst comprising at least a first element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, and mixtures thereof and at least a second element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, molybdenum, chromium, iron, copper, tin, zirconium, zinc, titanium, vanadium, and mixtures thereof.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is in a form of a fixed-bed, a suspension, or a combination thereof.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is in the form of the fixed-bed, and has a particle size in a range of about 1 mm to about 8 mm.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is in the form of the suspension, and has a median particle size in a range of about 10 to about 100 μm.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first element is Ni.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the second element is aluminum.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a skeletal metal catalyst.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein cerium is present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the catalyst.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein cerium is present in an amount ranging from about 1.5% to about 3.0% by weight of the catalyst.
10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the solution comprising 1,4-butynediol has a pH in a range from about 6.0 to about 11.0.
11. The process of claim 1 , wherein the solution comprising 1 , 4 -butynediol has a pH of about 9.0 to about 10.0.
12. The process of claim 1 , wherein the process produces butanol as a byproduct in a range of less than about 3.0% by weight based on a total weight of the butanol and the 1,4-butanediol.