Correlations for catalyst deactivation during valorization of biomass-derived acetone and butanol

Abstract

Recently we reported valorization of biomass-derived acetone and butanol in which acetone hydrogenation and butylation exhibited systematic trends for catalyst life as a function of total reaction pressure. These works did not address kinetics of catalyst deactivation behaviour. The present, relatively short, communication attempts to determine rate constants for main and deactivation reactions are calculated for different pressures. Variation of rate constants with pressure has scantily been reported unlike with temperature. Values of both constants decreased with increasing pressure; however, main reaction rate constant declined slowly resulting in much higher values of their ratios. This particular aspect led to higher conversions at higher pressures which were simultaneously accompanied by reduced coking. Knowledge of rates of catalyst deactivation helps select reactor configuration, i.e., fixed and fluidised beds or moving bed reactors. Thus this study assists selection of reactor, catalysts, and operating conditions to impart value addition to biomass-derived chemicals. A parameter accounting for pressure effect on rate constants too has been determined. The same parameter for deactivation reaction has been correlated with ratio of rate constants for main and deactivation reactions.