Aromatics from Alternative Sources by Catalysis with Sulfated Zirconia and Related Systems
DOE Phase I SBIR Contract DE-FG02-07ER84771
Producing high-volume chemicals to be feedstocks for various heavy industries from non-petroleum resources such as coal is a current high priority need for the DOE. Development of better catalytic processes, including those that are based on acid-base catalysts, is a related need. Coal-derived Fischer-Tropsch naphtha may be a source for paraffins from which a whole array of high-volume aromatics necessary for heavy industries could be produced; however, more effective processes for such an FT-to-aromatics route are needed, and these processes may be based on acid-base catalysis.
Eltron is currently conducting research to address theses needs by:
- Designing and preparing improved solid acid catalysts based on mixed metal oxides such as advanced sulfated zirconia and related systems (that in a preliminary study have shown promise as active and selective catalysts in paraffin-to-aromatics and aromatic transformation reactions).
- Studying those catalysts in selected reactions that have the highest odds of becoming successful industrial processes, capable of being integrated into future, coal-derived Fischer-Tropsch plants.
A few promising processes identified during research will be chosen for scale-up and further development, based on technological and economical assessments. This research will allow us to implement the chosen processes on a bench-scale and design them for pilot plant construction and operation, in cooperation with industrial partners and investors.