Hybrid biological-chemocatalytic processes present a unique opportunity to convert biomass into renewable high-value platform chemicals. Propionic acid and succinic acid represent monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic microbial acids that can be catalytically reduced in the aqueous phase to produce propanol and 1,4-butanediol, respectively. Of note, bimetallic Ru-Sn/AC is one such promising catalyst for converting acids to alcohols; however, little is known regarding (i) the impact of acidic substrates and aqueous phase process conditions on prolonged catalyst stability, and (ii) the respective roles of Ru and Sn to promote the desired chemical activity and selectivity. Therefore, this talk will cover recent efforts to investigate bimetallic Ru-Sn/AC in order to: (i) determine the activity, selectivity, and apparent activation energy for propionic acid and succinic acid reduction in the aqueous phase, (ii) identify strategies to address compatible reactor metallurgy and catalyst stability for continuous trickle bed reactor runs, and (iii) provide insights into bimetallic Ru-Sn structure-function relationships through combined experimental and computational efforts. Findings determined that high alcohol molar yields can be achieved with both acids for prolonged periods of time-on-stream, although inert coating of wetted reactor components was critical to mitigate stainless steel leaching and prevent catalyst restructuring. In addition, combined computational and catalyst characterization efforts highlight the unique role of Sn in altering the affinity for hydrogen and minimizing undesirable side cracking reactions with both substrates.

Bimetallic Ru-Sn/AC for the aqueous phase catalytic conversion of microbial acids to alcohols

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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