JP2009215243A - Method for producing ethylene - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing ethylene at a low temperature in high activity and in a high selectivity. <P>SOLUTION: This method for producing ethylene by the dehydration reaction of ethanol is provided by bringing the ethanol in contact with a catalyst of using a proton type mordenite having a <10 silica/aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) and a ≤0.1 wt.% total content of sodium and potassium at a 200 to 300°C reaction temperature range on producing the ethylene. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a process for producing ethylene by ethanol dehydration.

  Ethylene is one of basic chemicals useful as a raw material for polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Conventionally, as a method for producing ethylene, thermal decomposition of naphtha, dehydrogenation reaction of ethane, and dehydration reaction of ethanol are known. In particular, in ethylene production by dehydration reaction of ethanol, when using plant-derived ethanol, the carbon dioxide released when burning the produced ethylene or products made from it is originally taken by the plant by photosynthesis, Since it is not counted in the carbon dioxide emission, it is a manufacturing method with a small environmental load.

  In the production of ethylene by the conventional ethanol dehydration reaction, a solid acid catalyst such as alumina or silica alumina is used as a catalyst, and the reaction temperature is as high as 350 to 450 ° C. in order to obtain high activity and high selectivity. (For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  However, if the temperature exceeds 300 ° C., a combustion furnace is required, which increases the equipment cost and is uneconomical.

  In addition, in the production of ethylene by dehydration reaction of ethanol using zeolite as a catalyst, a reaction temperature of 150 to 250 ° C. and a method using proton type zeolite as a catalyst are known (for example, Patent Document 3). In particular, a sufficient ethylene yield cannot be obtained.

  Furthermore, according to the thermodynamic equilibrium composition calculation of ethanol, ethylene, diethyl ether, acetaldehyde and water using Gibbs free energy by the inventors, the equilibrium composition of ethylene is 85% at a temperature of 200 ° C., 230%. When the temperature is less than 200 ° C., a sufficient ethylene yield cannot be obtained.

Japanese Patent No. 2911244 (page 5) Japanese Patent Publication No.59-19927 (page 5) JP 2006-116439 A (page 3)

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method for producing ethylene by dehydration of ethanol with high activity and high selectivity at low temperatures.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that in the production of ethylene by the dehydration reaction of ethanol, the reaction temperature is 200 to 300 in the presence of a catalyst using proton type mordenite having a specific composition. By contacting ethanol in the range of ° C., it was found that ethylene can be produced with high activity and high selectivity at low temperatures, and the present invention has been completed. That is, the present invention provides a catalyst using proton type mordenite having a silicon / aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) of less than 10 and a total content of sodium and potassium of 0.1 wt% or less in producing ethylene by ethanol dehydration reaction. In the presence of, an ethylene is produced by contacting ethanol at a reaction temperature in the range of 200 to 300 ° C.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

  The method for producing ethylene of the present invention is characterized by using a catalyst using proton type mordenite having a silicon / aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) of less than 10 and a total content of sodium and potassium of 0.1 wt% or less.

  Mordenite used in the present invention is a kind of zeolite, and has a structure represented by MOR in the structure code defined by the International Zeolite Society.

  The composition of zeolite is generally represented by the following formula (1).

_{xM 2 / n O · Al 2} O 3 · ySiO 2 · zH 2 O (1)
(Here, n is the valence of the cation M, x is a number in the range of 0.8 to 2, y is a number of 2 or more, and z is a number of 0 or more.)
The basic structure consists of a tetrahedral structure represented by SiO ₄ in which four oxygens are arranged at the apex centered on silicon, and a tetrahedron represented by AlO ₄ having aluminum in the center instead of silicon. / (Silicon + aluminum) is a three-dimensional bond with regularity by sharing oxygen with each other so that the atomic ratio of 2 is (silicon + aluminum).

  As a result, a three-dimensional skeleton structure having pores of different sizes and shapes is formed by the difference in the bonding method of the tetrahedron.

  In addition, zeolite is known to have solid acidity. The tetrahedron centered on aluminum is negatively charged, and is electrically neutralized by binding to cations such as protons, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals. In particular, proton-type zeolite is used as a solid acid catalyst because it exhibits Bronsted acidity when bound to protons.

  The silicon / aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) of the proton type mordenite used in the present invention is less than 10. When it is 10 or more, ethylene cannot be produced with high activity and high selectivity at low temperatures. Since ethylene can be produced with higher activity and selectivity at low temperatures, it is preferably 3 or more and less than 10, and more preferably 4 or more and less than 8.

  The total content of sodium and potassium of proton type mordenite used in the present invention is 0.1 wt% or less. If it exceeds 0.1 wt%, a large amount of sodium and potassium will be present, and the production of acetaldehyde by the dehydrogenation reaction of ethanol will be promoted, causing coke precipitation and a decrease in activity and selectivity. Can not selectively produce ethylene. Since ethylene can be produced with higher activity and higher selectivity at low temperatures, it is preferably 0.01 wt% or less.

  The proton type mordenite used in the present invention has a silicon / aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) of less than 10 and a total content of sodium and potassium of 0.1 wt% or less. What was synthesize | combined with the preparation method etc. can be used.

  When proton-type mordenite with a total content of sodium and potassium exceeding 0.1 wt% is obtained, it is necessary to remove sodium and potassium in order to reduce the total content of sodium and potassium to 0.1 wt% or less. . The method for removing sodium and potassium contained is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method in which mordenite containing sodium is treated with an aqueous ammonium salt solution, washed, dried and then heat treated.

  Although the processing method of aqueous ammonium salt solution is not specifically limited, For example, the method of heating and stirring in aqueous ammonium salt solution, isolate | separating and taking out a solid substance, and repeating this operation several times etc. are mentioned. Although the kind of ammonium salt is not particularly limited, ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate can be preferably used because sodium and potassium can be efficiently removed. The concentration of the aqueous ammonium salt solution is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 to 5N, more preferably 1 to 3N because sodium and potassium can be efficiently removed. The amount of the aqueous ammonium salt solution is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 100 times, more preferably 10 to 50 times the weight of mordenite because sodium and potassium can be efficiently removed. The heating and stirring temperature, time and the number of treatments are not particularly limited, but since sodium and potassium can be effectively removed, the heating and stirring temperature is preferably 50 to 100 ° C, more preferably 70 to 90 ° C, and the heating and stirring time is Preferably, it is 0.5 to 12 hours, more preferably 1 to 6 hours, and the number of treatments is preferably 1 to 10 times, more preferably 2 to 5 times. Although the method of isolate | separating a solid substance is not specifically limited, For example, methods, such as filtration and centrifugation, can be used.

  The method of the washing treatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of heating and stirring with pure water, separating and taking out a solid substance, and repeating this operation several times. The amount of pure water is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 100 times, more preferably 10 to 50 times the weight of mordenite because sodium and potassium can be efficiently removed. The heating and stirring temperature, time and the number of treatments are not particularly limited, but since sodium and potassium can be effectively removed, the heating and stirring temperature is preferably 50 to 100 ° C, more preferably 70 to 90 ° C, and the heating and stirring time is Preferably, it is 0.5 to 12 hours, more preferably 1 to 6 hours, and the number of treatments is preferably 1 to 10 times, more preferably 2 to 5 times. Although the method of isolate | separating a solid substance is not specifically limited, For example, methods, such as filtration and centrifugation, can be used.

  Although a drying method is not specifically limited, For example, it can carry out at 80-120 degreeC using a constant temperature dryer, a muffle furnace, a ring furnace, etc.

  Although the heat processing method is not specifically limited, For example, a muffle furnace, a ring furnace, etc. can be used. The heat treatment temperature is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400 to 700 ° C., more preferably 450 to 600 ° C. in order to maintain the decomposition of ammonium ions and the structure of mordenite. Further, if necessary, a gas such as oxygen, nitrogen, helium, argon or air may be flowed, or these gases may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The shape of the catalyst using the proton type mordenite used in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, a spherical shape, an elliptical shape, a cylindrical shape, a honeycomb shape, a powder shape, a granular shape and the like can be used, and ethanol is efficiently supplied. Since ethylene can be produced, it is preferably spherical, cylindrical, honeycomb, or granular.

  The method for granulating the catalyst using the proton type mordenite used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include tableting molding, extrusion molding, drying, heat treating the slurry, pulverizing and sieving. Moreover, you may mix granulation adjuvants, such as a silica, a silica sol, an alumina, an alumina sol, a graphite, and a cellulose, as needed.

  The reaction mode in the production of ethylene by the dehydration reaction of ethanol of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be performed in any reaction mode. For example, it can be carried out by a fixed bed gas phase flow type, a fixed bed liquid phase flow type or a suspension bed batch type.

  The reaction temperature is 200-300 ° C. If it is less than 200 ° C., the activity is insufficient and an industrial ethylene yield cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 300 ° C., it is necessary to construct a combustion furnace, which is uneconomical. Preferably it is 220-280 degreeC.

  The reaction pressure is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 10 MPa in absolute pressure, more preferably 0.05 to 5 MPa because ethylene can be efficiently produced.

In addition, the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) during the fixed bed flow reaction is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 100 hr ⁻¹ , more preferably 0.8, because ethylene can be efficiently produced. ¹ to 10 hr ⁻¹ . Here, the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) represents the total weight of ethanol supplied per unit time (hr) per unit catalyst weight.

  Although the raw material ethanol used by this invention is not specifically limited, For example, ethanol derived from petroleum, ethanol derived from plants, such as sugarcane and corn, can be used. When plant-derived ethanol is used, the carbon dioxide released when burning manufactured ethylene or products made from it is originally taken by plants through photosynthesis and is not counted in carbon dioxide emissions. The manufacturing method is small.

  Although the purity of the raw material ethanol used by this invention is not specifically limited, Since it can manufacture ethylene efficiently, Preferably it is 50-100 wt%, More preferably, it is 85-100 wt%.

  In the ethanol dehydration reaction of the present invention, raw material ethanol may be used as it is, or diluted with an inert gas. Although it does not specifically limit as an inert gas, For example, nitrogen, helium, argon, water vapor | steam, etc. are mentioned, These inert gases can be used not only individually but in mixture of 2 or more types. is there.

  By using the proton type mordenite of the present invention as a catalyst, ethylene can be produced with high activity and high selectivity at a low temperature. Therefore, the scale of the separation equipment for diethyl ether and acetaldehyde can be reduced, which is economical. Become.

  The ethylene production method of the present invention has an effect of producing ethylene with high activity and high selectivity at low temperatures.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  The measurement methods used in the following examples are shown.

<Content of sodium and potassium in zeolite>
The contents of sodium and potassium in the zeolite were quantitatively analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA) (manufactured by Jarrel Ash, trade name: AA800 Mark II).

<Evaluation of ethanol dehydration>
Evaluation of the dehydration reaction of ethanol was performed by a gas phase pulse reaction method using a gas chromatograph (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, trade name GC-14A). The glass insert was filled with zeolite, helium was used as a carrier gas, aerated at 17.3 ml / min, and the reaction was carried out at a predetermined reaction temperature. Ethanol was injected in an amount of 0.4 μl with a microsyringe, and the reaction gas was collected at a liquid nitrogen temperature for 30 minutes with a stainless steel U-tube outside the gas chromatograph, and then heated at 150 ° C. to prepare a packed column (3 m × 2. 3 mm (inner diameter), filler: manufactured by Waters, trade name PorapakQ) was introduced, and the reaction gas was quantified with a thermal conductivity detector (TCD).

<Ethanol conversion, ethylene selectivity and mass balance>
The ethanol conversion, ethylene selectivity, and mass balance were calculated by the following equations.

Ethanol conversion rate (%) = (injected ethanol amount (mol) −detected ethanol amount (mol)) / injected ethanol amount (mol) × 100 (2)
Ethylene selectivity (%) = ethylene production amount (mol) / injected ethanol amount (mol) × 100 (3)
Mass balance (%) = (Each product amount (mol) × carbon number / 2 + detected ethanol amount (mol)) / injected ethanol amount (mol) × 100 (4)
Example 1
Mordenite: HSZ620HOA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 7.5, sodium content = 0.37 wt%) was suspended in 300 ml of 1N-ammonium chloride aqueous solution and heated and stirred at 80 ° C. for 1 hour. Thereafter, the mixture was filtered to separate a white cake-like substance. This operation was repeated 4 times. Next, the cake-like substance was suspended in 300 ml of pure water, heated and stirred at 80 ° C. for 1 hour, and then filtered to separate a white cake-like substance. This operation was repeated 5 times.

  The obtained white cake-like substance was dried at 100 ° C. for 15 hours and then calcined at 500 ° C. for 2 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.001 wt%.

  Next, the zeolite was granulated as follows. 1.8 g of colloidal silica (Snowtex N, manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.) was added to 1.7 g of the obtained mordenite, and kneaded and dried while applying warm air. Next, after drying at 100 degreeC for 15 hours, it baked at 500 degreeC for 2 hours. The obtained solid was granulated to a particle size of 0.25 to 0.52 mm.

  0.014 g of the obtained particles were packed in a glass insert, and a gas phase pulse reaction was performed. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 260 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.5%, the ethylene selectivity was 99.4%, and the mass balance was 100%. At the reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.1% and the ethylene selectivity was 88. The material balance was 88.8%.

Example 2
Mordenite: Ammonium chloride treatment and washing treatment were performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that TSZ600NAA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 5, sodium content = 5.2 wt%) was used. The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.001 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, the reaction temperature was 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.6%, the ethylene selectivity was 82.2%, and the material balance was 82.2%.

Example 3
The same procedure as in Example 2 was performed except that the firing condition was 500 ° C. for 5 hours. The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.001 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.4%, the ethylene selectivity was 85.8%, and the material balance was 85.9%.

Example 4
It carried out like Example 2 except having made baking conditions 600 degreeC 5 hours. The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.001 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, the reaction temperature was 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.8%, the ethylene selectivity was 81.9%, and the material balance was 82.0%.

Comparative Example 1
Mordenite: HSZ620HOA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 7.5, sodium content = 0.37 wt%) was fired at 400 ° C. for 2 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.29 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.2%, the ethylene selectivity was 67.1%, and the material balance was 67.4%, which was inferior in ethylene selectivity.

Comparative Example 2
Mordenite: HSZ620HOA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 7.5, sodium content = 0.37 wt%) 2.2 g was fired at 400 ° C. for 2 hours. Next, 0.05 g of sodium chloride was dissolved in 30 ml of water, the calcined mordenite was suspended, heated and stirred at 80 ° C. for 2 hours, and then filtered to separate a white cake-like substance. Next, the cake-like substance was suspended in 30 ml of pure water, heated and stirred at 80 ° C. for 15 minutes, and then filtered to separate a white cake-like substance. This operation was repeated three times.

  The obtained white cake-like substance was dried at 100 ° C. for 15 hours and then calcined at 400 ° C. for 2 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.64 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 99.5%, the ethylene selectivity was 50.0%, and the material balance was 50.2%, which was inferior in ethylene selectivity.

Comparative Example 3
Mordenite: HSZ640HOA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 10, sodium content = 0.074 wt%) was fired at 400 ° C. for 2 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.026 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 86.8%, the ethylene selectivity was 31.9%, and the mass balance was 43.7%, and the activity and ethylene selectivity were poor.

Comparative Example 4
Mordenite: HSZ690HOA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 100, sodium content = 0.037 wt%) was fired at 400 ° C. for 2 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.003 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 39.9%, the ethylene selectivity was 7.5%, the mass balance was 66.1%, and the activity and ethylene selectivity were poor.

Comparative Example 5
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that the reaction temperature was 190 ° C. As a result, the ethanol conversion was 99.0%, the ethylene selectivity was 18.0%, and the mass balance was 18.9%, indicating poor activity and selectivity.

Comparative Example 6
The same procedure as in Example 2 was performed except that the reaction temperature was 190 ° C. As a result, the ethanol conversion was 99.0%, the ethylene selectivity was 20.2%, and the mass balance was 20.6%, indicating poor activity and selectivity.

Comparative Example 7
Y-type zeolite: HSZ-360HUA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al = 7.5, sodium content = 0.074 wt%) was calcined at 400 ° C. for 2 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained zeolite was 0.025 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 46.0%, the ethylene selectivity was 7.7%, and the mass balance was 63.7%, and the activity and ethylene selectivity were poor.

Comparative Example 8
L-type zeolite: HSZ-500KOA (Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al = 3, sodium content = 0.15 wt%, potassium content = 14 wt%) was subjected to ammonium chloride treatment and washing treatment in the same manner as in Example 1. It was.

  The obtained zeolite had a sodium content of 0.002 wt% and a potassium content of 3.0 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 42.6%, the ethylene selectivity was 24.0%, and the mass balance was 70.4%, which were inferior in activity and ethylene selectivity.

Comparative Example 9
Sodium type ZSM-5 was prepared according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 46-10064. That is, 76 g of 30 wt% silica sol (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd., colloidal silica N) was mixed with 108 g of 2.2 mol / l tetra-n-propylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution. Next, 3.2 g of sodium aluminate was dissolved in 54 ml of water, and the aqueous solution and the solution were put in a SUS autoclave. This mixture was heated at 150 ° C. under agitation for 6 days with stirring. After cooling, the produced slurry was filtered off and washed with 100 ml of distilled water, and this washing operation was repeated 5 times. Subsequently, after drying at 110 degreeC overnight, it baked at 540 degreeC in the air, and obtained white sodium-type ZSM-5. As a result of powder X-ray diffraction measurement, it was found to have an MFI type, that is, ZSM-5 type structure. The silicon / aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) of the obtained ZSM-5 was 20.

  The obtained sodium type ZSM-5 was treated with ammonium chloride and washed in the same manner as in Example 1.

  The sodium content of the obtained zeolite was 0.009 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 85.5%, the ethylene selectivity was 7.3%, and the material balance was 20.9%, indicating poor activity and ethylene selectivity.

Comparative Example 10
Beta zeolite: HSZ930NHA (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, Si / Al ratio = 10, sodium content = 0.037 wt%) was calcined at 500 ° C. for 6 hours.

  The sodium content of the obtained mordenite was 0.018 wt%.

  Next, granulation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, and 0.014 g of the obtained particles were put into a glass insert to carry out a gas phase pulse reaction. As a result, at a reaction temperature of 230 ° C., the ethanol conversion was 98.1%, the ethylene selectivity was 4.2%, the mass balance was 6.1%, and the activity and ethylene selectivity were poor.

Claims (2)

In producing ethylene by dehydration reaction of ethanol, the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst using proton type mordenite having a silicon / aluminum ratio (atomic ratio) of less than 10 and a total content of sodium and potassium of 0.1 wt% or less. A process for producing ethylene, wherein ethanol is brought into contact at a temperature of 200 to 300 ° C. 2. The method for producing ethylene according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst using proton type mordenite having a total content of sodium and potassium of 0.01 wt% or less.