Direct catalytic conversion of alcohols to olefins of higher carbon number with reduced ethylene production
A catalyst composition for converting an alcohol to olefins, the catalyst composition comprising the following components: (a) a support (e.g., particles) comprising silicon and oxygen; (b) at least one of copper and silver residing on and/or incorporated into said support; and (c) at least one lanthanide element residing on and/or incorporated into said support. The catalyst may also further include component (d), which is zinc. Also described herein is a method for converting an alcohol to one or more olefinic compounds (an olefin fraction) by contacting the alcohol with a catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 500° C. to result in direct conversion of the alcohol to an olefin fraction containing one or more olefinic compounds containing at least three carbon atoms; wherein ethylene and propylene are produced in a minor proportion of the olefin fraction, and butenes and higher olefins are produced in major proportion.
1 . A method for converting an alcohol to an olefin fraction comprising 1,3-butadiene, the method comprising contacting the alcohol with a catalyst to result in direct conversion of said alcohol to said olefin fraction comprising 1,3-butadiene;
wherein said catalyst comprises the following components:
(a) support particles comprising silicon (Si) and oxygen (O);
(b) at least one of copper and silver residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles; and
(c) at least one lanthanide element comprising lanthanum residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein paraffins are optionally produced along with the olefin fraction in an amount of no more than 3 vol %.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein aromatics are optionally produced along with the olefin fraction in an amount of no more than 2 vol %.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein butenes are produced in an amount of less than 50 vol % in said olefin fraction.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein olefins containing at least five carbon atoms are present in said olefin fraction in an amount of less than 50 vol %.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said alcohol has one to four carbon atoms.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said alcohol comprises ethanol.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said alcohol is in aqueous solution in a concentration of no more than 50 vol %.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said alcohol is a component of a fermentation stream when contacted with said catalyst.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said alcohol is a component of an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation stream when contacted with said catalyst.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 1,3-butadiene is produced in a selectivity of at least 35%.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein ethylene is produced in an amount of less than 50 vol % in said olefin fraction.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein propene is produced in an amount of less than 50 vol % in said olefin fraction.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said support particles comprise beta zeolite.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said catalyst further comprises: (d) zinc atoms residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles.