NEW APPROACHES IN CATALYTIC SYSTEMS FOR ETHANOL PARTIAL DEHYDROGENATION/DEHYDRATION

• Grant number: 24/06046-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio Boscolo
• Grantee: Mauricio Boscolo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Gustavo Metzker ; João Cláudio Thoméo

Abstract

Although there are numerous studies on the catalytic transformation of ethanol into various products, including partial dehydrogenation/dehydration and aldol condensation, many aspects remain unexplored in the literature that could lead to new catalytic routes. This proposal addresses relevant topics for the study of catalytic transformation of bioethanol, such as new compositions of catalysts derived from hydrotalcites, the addition of perovskite in the reactor, the alteration and pressurization of the reaction atmosphere, and operation in a fluidized bed reactor.Among the points to be developed in this proposal are changes in the composition of heterogeneous catalysts derived from hydrotalcite-like materials, typically composed of Mg and Al, where, in the synthetic form, Mg will be partially replaced by two reactive transition elements, one of them being Zn, due to its demonstrated low carbon deposition, which deactivates the catalysts and contributes to reactor clogging. The addition of small amounts of oxides derived from perovskite, a highly reactive structure in ethanol gasification, will also be investigated, aiming to reduce the minimum process temperature and consequently save energy.The separate pressurization of the reactor with H2 and CO2 will enhance reducing and carboxylating conditions of the chemical intermediates, and its impact will be assessed on the qualitative and quantitative profile of the products formed. Finally, a fluidized bed reactor loaded with hydrotalcite/perovskite derivatives will be tested for the first time in ethanol dehydrogenation processes, which may reduce constant clogging issues and, at the same time, lower the process temperature and consequently reduce the overall cost of the process. (AU)