US 12,168,221 B2
Catalyst comprising an active nickel phase in the form of small particles and a nickel-copper alloy
Anne-Claire Dubreuil, Rueil-Malmaison (FR); and Malika Boualleg, Rueil-Malmaison (FR)
Assigned to IFP Energies Nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison (FR)
Appl. No. 17/630,238
Filed by IFP Energies Nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison (FR)
PCT Filed Jul. 16, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/070077
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 26, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/018599, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 1908725 (FR), filed on Jul. 31, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0280922 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B01J 23/755 (2006.01); B01J 21/04 (2006.01); B01J 35/23 (2024.01); B01J 35/30 (2024.01); B01J 35/40 (2024.01); B01J 37/02 (2006.01); B01J 37/16 (2006.01); C07C 5/09 (2006.01); C07C 5/10 (2006.01)
CPC B01J 23/755 (2013.01) [B01J 21/04 (2013.01); B01J 35/23 (2024.01); B01J 35/393 (2024.01); B01J 35/40 (2024.01); B01J 37/0219 (2013.01); B01J 37/0228 (2013.01); B01J 37/0236 (2013.01); B01J 37/16 (2013.01); C07C 5/09 (2013.01); C07C 5/10 (2013.01); C07C 2521/04 (2013.01); C07C 2523/72 (2013.01); C07C 2523/755 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
 
1. A process for preparing a catalyst, said catalyst comprising nickel and copper in a proportion of 1% to 50% by weight of nickel element relative to the total weight of the catalyst and in a proportion of 0.5% to 15% by weight of copper element relative to the total weight of the catalyst, and an alumina support, wherein in said catalyst:
the mole ratio between nickel and copper is between 0.5 and 5 mol/mol;
at least one portion of the nickel and copper is in the form of a nickel-copper alloy;
the nickel content in the nickel-copper is between 0.5% and 15% by weight of nickel element relative to the total weight of the catalyst,
the size of the nickel particles in the catalyst, measured in oxide form, is less than 7 nm,
said method comprising the following steps:
a) bringing the alumina support into contact with at least one solution containing at least one nickel precursor;
b) bringing the alumina support into contact with at least one solution containing at least one nickel precursor and at least one copper precursor;
c) bringing the alumina support into contact with at least one solution containing at least one organic compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid function, or at least one alcohol function, or at least one ester function, or at least one amide function, or at least one amine function,
wherein:
steps a), b) and c) are carried out separately, in any order, or
steps a) and c) are carried out at the same time, step b) being carried out either before the combination of steps a) and c), or afterwards;
steps b) and c) are carried out at the same time, step a) being carried out either before the combination of steps b) and c), or afterwards;
d) carrying out at least one step of drying the catalyst precursor obtained at the end of steps a) to c) at a temperature below 250° C.;
e) carrying out a step of reducing the catalyst precursor obtained at the end of step d) by bringing said precursor into contact with a reducing gas at a temperature above or equal to 150° C. and below 250° C.