Optimizing propylene production via acetone hydrodeoxygenation: Insights from catalytic studies with Cu/γ-Al2O3 and Hβ zeolite

Abstract

© 2024 Elsevier B.V.Propylene is a crucial light olefin in the petrochemical industry and can be produced via acetone hydrodeoxygenation, which involves two sequential reactions: first, acetone undergoes hydrogenation catalyzed by metallic sites, followed by the dehydration of the resulting isopropanol catalyzed by acidic sites. In this study, propylene production through acetone hydrodeoxygenation was investigated using a physical mixture of 35 wt% Cu/γ-Al2O3 and Hβ zeolite to investigate how various reaction parameters affect acetone conversion and propylene yield. Using the experimental design methodology, empirical models were developed to correlate acetone conversion (Xacet) and propylene yield (Yprop) with the ratio of 35 wt% Cu/γ-Al2O3 to Hβ (CR), total catalyst weight (Cw), hydrogen volumetric flow rate (FH2) and reaction temperature (T). The maximum propylene yield achieved in the catalytic tests was 73.46 %. A long-term test demonstrated the catalyst's reusability, remaining active even after 22 hours of reaction with only a slight decrease in propylene yield. Analysis of the experimental data revealed that increasing T and Cw positively affected propylene yield, whereas higher CR and FH2 had negative effects. According to the Pareto chart, reaction temperature was the most influential variable for propylene yield, followed by CR, FH2 and Cw. For acetone conversion, the order of significance among the variables was T > CR > Cw > FH2.