The Laboratory of Catalytic conversion of Light hydrocarbons

Research fields:

• The synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolites and the catalysts on their base.

• The development of the methods for the modification of the catalysts properties.

• The study of the physicochemical properties of zeolites catalysts and metal ultradispersed powders (UDP) produced using various methods.

• The assessment of the efficiency of the catalytic systems operation in the processes of the conversion of the model hydrocarbon mixtures, oil fractions, C₃-C₅ alkanes, methane and methanol. 

• Non-conventional methods of hydrocarbons refining.

• The investigation of the reactivity of metal nanopowders in the reactions of light hydrocarbons conversion and in organic synthesis.

Main achievements:

• The methods for zeolite synthesis and modification have been developed.

• The procedures of the analysis of zeolite catalysts properties have been worked through.

• The process schedule and requirements specification for the production of a zeolite powder to prepare catalysts have been developed.

• Efficient zeolite-containing catalysts for the processes of C₃-C₅ low alkanes aromatization and ennobling of low-octane gasoline fractions of various origin have been created.

• An automated installation allowing one to produce to 1.0-1.5 kg of a zeolite powder per month has been made.

•  A chromatographic method for the determination of the hydrocarbon composition and octane numbers of the straight-run and high-octane gasolines including the computerized data processing has been  elaborated.

• Al and Fe UDP produced via electroexplosion reduce nitrides to amines under mild conditions in aqueous medium (solution).

• Copper UDP produced via elextroexplosion, plasmachemical or evaporation-condensation methods react with 1,3-diaminoisoindolenene, which results in Cu phthalocyanine formation. Depending on the synthesis conditions, different crystallographic phthalocyanine modifications are formed.

• Indium UDP, irrespective of the conditions of its production (whether in nitrogen or argon medium), readily reacts with acetic acid with the formation of indium acetate, which forms tetraphenylporphin indium acetate at heating with tetraphenylporphin. The above products were first obtained via a direct reaction with indium. Using phthalocyanine and indium tetraphenylporphin, photosensitive carriers for CANON copiers and laser printers have been developed.

• It has been established that Co UDP is an efficient initiator of isopropylbenzene oxidation yielding cumene hydroperoxide.

• Under the action of barrier discharge plasma 40-45% of cylcohexane in oxygen medium are converted into cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, n-hexane forms aldehydes, ketones and alcohols. In helium atmosphere n-hexane is generally converted into branched hydrocarbons with carbon atom number from 8 to 12, and cyclohexane – into alkyl- and alkenylcyclohexanes. The mechanism of the products conversion has been established.

  The Laboratory is equipped with:

• The equipment for zeolite synthesis and preparation of the catalysts on their base;

• The flow and circular catalytic installations intended to study the transformations of the hydrocarbons and oil fractions with end boiling temperature of 350-360^оС;

• The installations intended to study the reactions (oxidation, dimerisation etc) occurring under the action of the barrier discharge;

• The devices intended to study the photosensitive properties of thin-film materials;

• The installations to carry out the thermoprogrammed desorption and determination of the specific surface of the samples and octane numbers of the gasolines;

• C-derivatograph (MOM, Hungary);

• The gas chromatographs of different modifications, and M-40 spectrometer.

The Laboratory numbers 17 employees, including 1 Professor and 10 Doctors of Sciences.