Systems and Methods for Preparing Butenes

Abstract

Systems for preparing butenes are provided. The systems can include a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir; at least one of the reactant reservoirs containing one or both of an aldehyde and/or ethanol; a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey a butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir. Methods for preparing butenes are also provided. The methods can include exposing one or both of ethanol and/or an aldehyde to a catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support to form a butene-rich product that comprises one or both of 1-butene and/or 2-butene.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for preparing butenes, the system comprising:
 a reactor inlet coupled to both a reactor and at least one reactant reservoir;   the at least one reactant reservoir containing an aldehyde;   a catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising a metal component and an acidic support material; and   a reactor outlet operationally configured to convey butene-rich reaction product to a product reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the one reactant reservoir also contains ethanol. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising another reactant reservoir containing H 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the aldehyde is one or more of acetaldehyde, butyraldehydes, and/or crotonaldehyde. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the metal of the catalyst comprises one or more of yttrium, copper, chromium, zinc, silver, zirconium, titanium, gallium, and/or silica, in oxidized or elemental form. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the acidic support material comprises zeolites, carbon, aluminum, and/or silica. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the reactor is configured to be maintained between 200 and 450° C. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the metal of the catalyst comprises copper in an amount between 0.5 and 20 (wt/wt %) of the catalyst. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the metal of the catalyst comprises zirconium in an amount between 1 and 8 (wt/wt %) of the catalyst.