Conditions for the Joint Conversion of CO 2 and Syngas in the Direct Synthesis of Light Olefins Using In 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 /SAPO-34 Catalyst.
Ander PortilloAinara AtekaJavier EreñaAndres T AguayoJavier BilbaoPublished in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research (2021)
The conditions for promoting the joint conversion of CO 2 and syngas in the direct synthesis of light olefins have been studied. In addition, given the relevance for the viability of the process, the stability of the In 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 /SAPO-34 (InZr/S34) catalyst has also been pursued. The CO+CO 2 (CO x ) hydrogenation experimental runs were conducted in a packed bed isothermal reactor under the following conditions: 375-425 °C; 20-40 bar; space time, 1.25-20 g catalyst h mol C -1 ; H 2 /(CO x ) ratio in the feed, 1-3; CO 2 /(CO x ) ratio in the feed, 0.5; time on stream (TOS), up to 24 h. Analyzing the reaction indices (CO 2 and CO x conversions, yield and selectivity of olefins and paraffins, and stability), the following have been established as suitable conditions: 400 °C, 30 bar, 5-10 g cat h mol C -1 , CO 2 /CO x = 0.5, and H 2 /CO x = 3. Under these conditions, the catalyst is stable (after an initial period of deactivation by coke), and olefin yield and selectivity surpass 4 and 70%, respectively, with light paraffins as byproducts. Produced olefin yields follow propylene > ethylene > butenes. The conditions of the process (low pressure and low H 2 /CO x ratio) may facilitate the integration of sustainable H 2 production with PEM electrolyzers and the covalorization of CO 2 and syngas obtained from biomass.