Keywords
Catalysis, Energy, Environment, Oligomerization
Select the category the research project fits.
Innovative Technology/Entrepreneurship/Design
Is this submission part of ICaP/PW (Introductory Composition at Purdue/Professional Writing)?
No
Abstract
Global demand for energy is continually increasing and it is vital that researchers discover more efficient and sustainable methods for utilizing scarce resources. Shale gas is a form of natural gas that is trapped within shale formations and has become an increasingly vital source of natural gas for the United States through the development of the hydraulic fracturing extraction process. Heterogeneous, non-acidic catalysts can be used to convert the light alkanes in shale gas to more usable and transportable products. Catalytic shale gas conversion is a two-step process that includes the dehydrogenation of light alkanes to olefins and then the oligomerization of olefins to longer chain products. These two processes are traditionally performed under different reaction temperatures and pressures. However, the two reactions are proposed to be related due to common metal-hydride and metal-alkyl intermediates. Single-site cobalt catalysts (Co2+/SiO2) are active in propane dehydrogenation, where the olefin selectivity was >95% at 6% conversion. This suggests that Co2+ forms the necessary reaction intermediates for oligomerization. This project demonstrates that Co2+ can also catalyze olefin oligomerization at high temperatures through dimerization tests. Dimerization tests of pure ethylene resulted in low conversions (~3%) to C4 products, along with the presence of other higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. Tests at higher pressures are expected to form liquid fuel products. This transformation to liquid fuel products will allow shale gas to be compatible with the current United States transportation infrastructure, further making it a viable alternative fuel.
Recommended Citation
Edwards, Ethan, "High Temperature Alkene Oligomerization on Single Site Cobalt Catalysts" (2019). Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference. 3.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purc/2019/Oral_Presentations/3
High Temperature Alkene Oligomerization on Single Site Cobalt Catalysts
Global demand for energy is continually increasing and it is vital that researchers discover more efficient and sustainable methods for utilizing scarce resources. Shale gas is a form of natural gas that is trapped within shale formations and has become an increasingly vital source of natural gas for the United States through the development of the hydraulic fracturing extraction process. Heterogeneous, non-acidic catalysts can be used to convert the light alkanes in shale gas to more usable and transportable products. Catalytic shale gas conversion is a two-step process that includes the dehydrogenation of light alkanes to olefins and then the oligomerization of olefins to longer chain products. These two processes are traditionally performed under different reaction temperatures and pressures. However, the two reactions are proposed to be related due to common metal-hydride and metal-alkyl intermediates. Single-site cobalt catalysts (Co2+/SiO2) are active in propane dehydrogenation, where the olefin selectivity was >95% at 6% conversion. This suggests that Co2+ forms the necessary reaction intermediates for oligomerization. This project demonstrates that Co2+ can also catalyze olefin oligomerization at high temperatures through dimerization tests. Dimerization tests of pure ethylene resulted in low conversions (~3%) to C4 products, along with the presence of other higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. Tests at higher pressures are expected to form liquid fuel products. This transformation to liquid fuel products will allow shale gas to be compatible with the current United States transportation infrastructure, further making it a viable alternative fuel.