SAPO-34 methanol-to-olefin catalysts under working conditions: A combined in situ powder X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and Raman study

• Published in: Journal of catalysis 2009-12, Vol.268 (2), p.290-296
• Main Authors: Wragg, David S., Johnsen, Rune E., Balasundaram, Murugan, Norby, Poul, Fjellvåg, Helmer, Grønvold, Arne, Fuglerud, Terje, Hafizovic, Jasmina, Vistad, Ørnulv B., Akporiaye, Duncan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; In situ X-ray diffraction; Ion-exchange; Mass spectrometry; Methanol; Methanol-to-olefin; Raman; SAPO-34; Spectrum analysis; Surface physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; X-rays; Zeolite; Zeolites: preparations and properties
• ISSN: 0021-9517; 1090-2694
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2009.09.027

In situ X-ray diffraction and Raman investigations of SAPO-34 during methanol-to-olefin conversion show asymmetric expansion of the catalyst linked to the build-up of intermediates in the zeolite cages. We have studied the behaviour of the zeotype silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-34 catalyst in the methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process under real working conditions using simultaneous synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy with online analysis of products by mass spectrometry. Anisotropic changes in the unit-cell dimensions are shown to be related to the build-up of intermediate species in the cages of the SAPO-34 framework and also to the deactivation of the catalyst (observed from the products in the mass spectra). We have quantified the amount of intermediate material in the cages from the PXRD using Fourier mapping techniques and our measurements are comparable with tapered element-oscillating microbalance measurements of coke build-up. Raman spectra indicate that the nature of the coke becomes increasingly graphitic with time. Our results also show that the catalyst recovers its original structural parameters when regenerated in air at 500–550 °C.