Catalyst for the production of polyols by hydrogenolysis of carbohydrates

Abstract

A catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of carbohydrates is disclosed. The catalyst comprises nickel metal on an alumina-silica support. Optionally, the catalyst may be promoted with noble metals selected from the group consisting of copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, silver, and combinations thereof.

1 . A catalyst for use in a process for converting carbohydrates to polyols and/or glycols, said process having an aqueous medium, and said catalyst consisting essentially of from about 45 wt % to about 55 wt % nickel and up to about 0.5 wt % of a metal promoter, selected from the group copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, silver and compinations thereof, wherein said nickel and said promoter are supported on a support comprising from about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % alumina and from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % silica, wherein the ratio of alumina to silica (Al:Si) is from about 4:1 to about 50:1.  
     
     
         2 . (canceled)  
     
     
         3 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein said catalyst comprises from about 48 wt % to about 53 wt % nickel, from about 43 wt % to about 46 wt % alumina, and from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % silica.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein said catalyst has a pore volume of at least about 0.33 cm 3 /g.  
     
     
         7 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein said catalyst has a specific surface area, measured by the BET procedure, of at least 150 m 2 /g.  
     
     
         8 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein said nickel is introduced to said catalyst in the form of nickel nitrate, said alumina is introduced to said catalyst in the form of aluminun nitrate, and said silica is introduced to said catalyst as precipitated silica or high surface area silica or bentonite or montmorillonite or attapulgite.  
     
     
         9 . The catalyst of  claim 9  wherein said nickel nitrate and aluminum nitrate are added together to form a pre-mix to which said promoter is added and then said soda ash is then added the soda ash/pre-mix mixture is allowed to form a precipitate which ages for a predetermined period of time and then the precipitate is thoroughly wash and dried, and then calcined to form an oxide lump which is further ground and mixed with said silica before being formed into predetermined shapes.  
     
     
         10 . A catalyst for converting carbohydrates to polyols and/or glycols, said catalyst comprising from about 45 wt % to about 55 wt % nickel metal, form about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % alumina, and from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % silica, wherein the ratio of alumina to silica (Al:Si) is from about 4:1 to about 50:1.  
     
     
         11 . The catalyst of  claim 10  further comprising up to about 0.5 wt % of a metal promoter, selected from the group consisting of copper, rutheninum, rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, silver and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . The catalyst of  claim 10  wherein said silica is selected from the group consisting of precipitated silica, high surface area silica, bentonite, montmorillonite, attapulgite or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A catalyst for converting carbohydrates to polyols and/or glycols, said catalyst comprising from about 45 wt % to about 55 wt % nickel metal, from about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % alumina, and from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % silica, and wherein said catalyst is prepared by mixing nickel nitrate and aluminum nitrate together to form a pre-mix to which soda ash is then added, then the soda ash/pre-mix mixture is allowed to form a precipitate which ages for a predetermined period of time, and then the precipitate is thoroughly washed and dried, and then calcined to form an oxide lump which is further ground and mixed with said silica before being formed into predetermined shapes.  
     
     
         15 . The catalyst of  claim 14  further comprising up to about 0.5 wt % of a metal promoter selected from the group consisting of copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, silver, and combinations thereof wherein said promoter is added concurrent with the soda ash.  
     
     
         16 . The catalyst of  claim 14  further comprising up to about 0.5 wt % of a metal promoter selected from the group consisting of copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, silver, and combinations thereof wherein said promoter is added before the soda ash.  
     
     
         17 . The catalyst of  claim 8  wherein said nickel nitrate and aluminum nitrate are added together to form a pre-mix mixture to which said promoter and said soda ash is then added concurrently, the soda ash/pre-mix mixture is allowed to form a precipitate which ages for a predetermined period of time, and then the precipitate is thoroughly washed and dried, and then calcined to form an oxide lump which is further ground and mixed with said silica before being formed into predetermined shapes.