Catalyst mechanical strength

The catalyst mechanical strength was defined as mechanical crushing strenght of the individual extrudate between two parallel plates device MP-9C and calculated via the formula ... 

Fig. 6. Effect of the plasticizer nature Fig. 7. Dei>endence of extrudate me-on the catalyst mechanical strength chanical strength on the content of A — glycerine B — ethylene glycol. polyethylene oxide.

The catalysts with plasticizers do not differ greatly in the manner of changing the mechanical strength. When we compare the values of the catalyst mechanical strength, P, upon the introduction of 2 wt % of onejjf the plasticizers (PEO, CMC, PVA, PAA, natural resin), it is apparent that P increases in the series PEO ------- PAA -------- CMC -------- PVA --------natural resin. 

Wu D. Study on Solid catalyst Mechanical Strength MS Dissertation, Tianjin Tianjin University, 2002. 

Polymer-based rocket propellants are generally referred to as composite propellants, and often identified by the elastomer used, eg, urethane propellants or carboxy- (CTPB) or hydroxy- (HTPB) terrninated polybutadiene propellants. The cross-linked polymers act as a viscoelastic matrix to provide mechanical strength, and as a fuel to react with the oxidizers present. Ammonium perchlorate and ammonium nitrate are the most common oxidizers used nitramines such as HMX or RDX may be added to react with the fuels and increase the impulse produced. Many other substances may be added including metallic fuels, plasticizers, stabilizers, catalysts, ballistic modifiers, and bonding agents. Typical components are Hsted in Table 1. 

Fluidized-bed reactor systems put other unique stresses on the VPO catalyst system. The mixing action inside the reactor creates an environment that is too harsh for the mechanical strength of a vanadium phosphoms oxide catalyst, and thus requires that the catalyst be attrition resistant (121,140,141). To achieve this goal, vanadium phosphoms oxide is usually spray dried with coUoidal siUca [7631-86-9] or polysiUcic acid [1343-98-2]. Vanadium phosphoms oxide catalysts made with coUoidal sUica are reported to have a loss of selectivity, while no loss in selectivity is reported for catalysts spray dried with polysUicic acid (140). 

Pyrotechnic mixtures may also contain additional components that are added to modify the bum rate, enhance the pyrotechnic effect, or serve as a binder to maintain the homogeneity of the blended mixture and provide mechanical strength when the composition is pressed or consoHdated into a tube or other container. These additional components may also function as oxidizers or fuels in the composition, and it can be anticipated that the heat output, bum rate, and ignition sensitivity may all be affected by the addition of another component to a pyrotechnic composition. An example of an additional component is the use of a catalyst, such as iron oxide, to enhance the decomposition rate of ammonium perchlorate. Diatomaceous earth or coarse sawdust may be used to slow up the bum rate of a composition, or magnesium carbonate (an acid neutralizer) may be added to help stabilize mixtures that contain an acid-sensitive component such as potassium chlorate. Binders include such materials as dextrin (partially hydrolyzed starch), various gums, and assorted polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol), epoxies, and polyesters. Polybutadiene mbber binders are widely used as fuels and binders in the soHd propellant industry. The production of colored flames is enhanced by the presence of chlorine atoms in the pyrotechnic flame, so chlorine donors such as poly(vinyl chloride) or chlorinated mbber are often added to color-producing compositions, where they also serve as fuels. 

Catalyst Selection. The choice of catalyst is one of the most important design decisions. Selection is usually based on activity, selectivity, stabiUty, mechanical strength, and cost (31). StabiUty and mechanical strength, which make for steady, long-term performance, are the key characteristics. The basic strategy in process design is to minimize catalyst deactivation, while optimizing pollutant destmction. 

High mechanical strength with respect to crushing (e.g. under the weight of the catalyst bed or during the shaping process). 

According to the classical definition of catalysis a catalyst does not cheinge during reaction. In practice this is not true during operation the catalyst loses activity, and often also selectivity and mechanical strength. Catalyst deactivation is a common phenomenon rather than exception. 

Early workers viewed carriers or catalyst supports as inert substances that provided a means of spreading out an expensive material like platinum or else improved the mechanical strength of an inherently weak material. The primary factors in the early selection of catalyst supports were their physical properties and their cheapness hence pumice, ground brick, charcoal, coke, and similar substances were used. No attention was paid to the possible influence of the support on catalyst behavior differences in behavior were attributed to variations in the distribution of the catalyst itself. 

The highly oxygenated bio oil can be de-oxygenated, and thereby upgraded, over acidic zeolite catalysts through the formation of mainly water at low temperatures and C02 and CO at higher temperatures [1-3], Successful catalytic pyrolysis of woody biomass over Beta zeolites has been performed in a fluidized bed reactor in [4]. A drawback in the use of pure zeolitic materials has been the mechanical strength of the pelletized zeolite particles in the fluidized bed. 

The objective of this work is to synthesize and characterize zeolite-bentonite hybrid catalysts and perform test reactions in the pyrolysis of woody biomass in a dual-fluidized bed reactor. The aim is to produce catalytic materials which have good mechanical strength and are still able to de-oxygenate the pyrolysis oil. 

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