STUDY ON CATALYTIC SYSTEMS FOR PARTIAL DEHYDROGENATION/DEHYDRATION OF ETHANOL

• Grant number: 24/10788-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio Boscolo
• Grantee: Rebeca Faustino Casado
• 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

Abstract

Despite 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 novel catalytic pathways. This proposal investigates critical areas in the catalytic transformation of bioethanol, including innovative compositions of hydrotalcite-derived catalysts, the incorporation of perovskite in the reactor, modifications to the reaction atmosphere, and the operation in a fluidized bed reactor.Key developments in this proposal involve altering the composition of heterogeneous catalysts derived from hydrotalcite-type materials, which are naturally composed of Mg and Al. In the synthetic form, Mg will be partially substituted with two reactive transition elements, one of which is Zn, due to its demonstrated low carbon deposition, which deactivates catalysts and contributes to reactor clogging. The proposal also explores the addition of small amounts of perovskite-derived oxides, known for their high reactivity in ethanol gasification, aiming to lower the minimum process temperature and thus save energy.The reactor will be separately pressurized with H2, O2, and CO2 to enhance reducing, oxidizing, carboxylating, and hydroformylating conditions for intermediate chemical compounds. The impact of these conditions 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 ethanol dehydrogenation processes for the first time. This approach is expected to mitigate constant clogging issues, reduce the process temperature, and consequently lower the overall process cost.