Purifying hydrocarbons is of great importance in petrochemical chemistry and will still remain one of the most challenging and energy-intensive separation processes in the coming decades until a complete shift towards renewable carbon pathways is found 1. The conventional Total Isomerization Process (TIP) developed by the Universal Oil Products (UOP) for improving the octane rating of light hydrocarbon fractions, especially mixed feedstocks containing pentane and hexane isomers, is among the first and most successful adsorption processes applied in industry2. The quality of gasoline is evaluated by its “anti-knocking” effect in spark-ignition internal combustion engines measured by the Research Octane Number (RON), i.e. the most common octane rating worldwide shown on the pumps. Gasoline should have at least a RON higher than 92 for its use in modern automotive combustion engines. Typically, the light naphtha, with low RON undergoes an incomplete catalytic isomerization that generates an effluent containing unconverted linear paraffins, mostly n-pentane (n-C5; RON 61.7) and n-hexane (n-C6; RON 30), mixed with their respective branched isomers, i.e., isopentane (i-C5; RON 93.5), 2-methylpentane (2MP; RON 74.5), 3-methylpentane (3MP; RON 75.5), 2,3-dimethylbutane (23DMB; RON 105) and 2,2-dimethylbutane (22DMB; RON 94). These remaining linear paraffins are commonly separated from their branched isomers in an adsorption unit packed with zeolite 5A owing to its extraordinary molecular sieving ability of linear from branched paraffins3. This results in a final isomerate product with an average RON ~ 87-904. However, with the actual process, the mono-branched hexane isomers 2MP and 3MP still represent, according to UOP5 and Axens6, up to 30% of the final product composition. Axens attempted to improve the TIP process by coupling a deisohexanizer column to the adsorption unit for recycling 2MP and 3MP back to the isomerization reactor, to reach a final product (RON>90) that meets the industrial demand (the Hexorb process7). However, this technology requires an investment of over US$ 20 million since the distillation column needs a large number of theoretical plates to fractionate the low RON mono-branched (2MP, 3MP) from the high RON di-branched (22DMB, 23DMB) hexane isomers and i-C5 due to their similar boiling points and therefore narrow selectivity7.
One alternative path to make a leap forward in this field would be to find an optimal adsorbent with outstanding alkane isomer separation performance according to classes of high (HRON>90) and low RON (LRON<90) compounds. To date, extensive effort has been primarily deployed to assess the separation performance of zeolites with different pore sizes/shapes8,9. Typically, zeolite BETA was demonstrated to partially discriminate mono and di-branched hexane isomers via a thermodynamically-controlled separation mechanism10. On the other hand, silicalite (MFI) was shown to enable a kinetically-driven separation of branched hexanes owing to a slow diffusion of the di-branched isomers in its pore structure11.
More recently, ordered porous hybrid materials, MOFs12–16, have been proposed as alternative candidates to address this challenging separation owing to the great tunability of their pore size/shape and surface functionality17,18. Fe2(BDP)319, Zr-abtc20, and MIL-140B21 were revealed to discriminate the hexane isomers into valuable fractions according to the degree of branching through a thermodynamically-controlled separation mechanism governed by distinctive host/hexane isomer interactions. Other MOFs including MIL-53(Fe)-(CF3)222, Ca(H2tcpb)23 and Al-bttotb24 showed attractive separation performance of di-branched from mono-branched hexane isomers via either kinetically-driven or molecular sieving-controlled mechanisms.
However, so far none of the existing zeolites or MOFs have reached optimum performance to meet the industrial needs in terms of separation of complex pentane and hexane feeds, including the benchmark Fe2(BDP)3 MOF where the HRON i-C5 elute practically simultaneously with the LRON 2MP and 3MP hexanes19. Furthermore, MOFs are usually rather expensive, hardly scalable and sometimes air moisture unstable, and in sharp contrast to zeolites5,6 they have not yet been tested under relevant industrial conditions, i.e., with the consideration of complex isomer mixtures and the use of shaped materials as well as under continuous adsorption cyclic operation tests.
Therefore, there is still a critical demand to identify an effective single sorbent or a synergy effect of mixed-bed sorbents with excellent hexane and pentane isomer separation performance for a complete fractionation of the TIP reactor effluent into HRON and LRON fractions under working conditions. In a first step to identify the best sorbent candidate for such an ambitious target, we deliberately selected the Al dicarboxylate MIL-160(Al) MOF owing to its many attractive features: (i) a bio-sourced linker from the oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde (HMF), that is considered by the bioplastic industry to produce polyethylene furanoate, (ii) a green ambient pressure method in line with a facile industrial production25, (iii) its chemical and thermal robustness26,27, and (iv) its microporous channels with a 5.8 Å pore size effective for the separation of small organic molecules28. Herein, we demonstrated through preliminary breakthrough fixed bed experiments performed on powder and shaped MOF samples that MIL-160(Al) enables not only a thermodynamically-controlled separation of all the C6 isomers but also the discrimination of most of the pentane and hexane alkanes into valuable HRON and LRON fractions according to the degree of branching. However, an undesirable near-simultaneous elution of n-C5 and 23DMB was observed in the pentane and hexane isomers separation leading to a productivity value for a fixed RON of 92 (around 40%) much lower than that achieved for the separation of hexane isomers only. Decisively, we revealed that this issue can be overcome by a synergistic action of MIL-160(Al) with the molecular sieve commercially available zeolite 5A in a mixed-bed to attain a full separation of all C5/C6 isomers into the desired valuable HRON and LRON fractions. We further delivered a proof-of-concept with the integration of this highly stable, bio-derived, and easily scalable green MOF material in its shaped form with a binder-free zeolite 5A into a new advanced recycling pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology for TIP processes (Fig. 1) that achieves an unprecedented average RON higher than 92 for a feed containing all of the pentane and hexane isomers. This ground-breaking process with considerable potential for the refining industry relies on the complementary role played by the MOF, thermodynamic-separation, and the zeolite, molecular sieving, integrated in the mixed-bed to effectively separate complex pentane and hexane mixtures into HRON (i-C5/23DMB/22DMB) and LRON (n-C5/n-C6/2MP/3MP) fractions.
MIL-160(Al) for separating all hexane isomers into classes of HRON and LRON fractions
The core of our proposed novel technology is based on the outstanding property of MIL-160(Al) to thermodynamically separate mixtures of hexane isomers according to the degree of branching. Herein the ability for MIL-160(Al) to separate these alkanes was first demonstrated by a series of fixed bed breakthrough experiments performed for powdered samples between 373 and 473 K with total isomer pressure up to 50 kPa (see Supplementary Figures S11-13). Fig. 2 shows that the HRON di-branched 22DMB and 23DMB elute first and they are completely separated from the LRON mono-branched 3MP and 2MP while the LRON linear n-C6 elutes much later. Notably, the sorption hierarchy of hexane isomers is similar to the boiling point order of the hydrocarbons: n-C6 >> 2MP ≈ 3MP >> 23DMB > 22DMB. The shape of the breakthrough curves for each isomer clearly indicates that the excellent selectivity of MIL-160(Al) is primarily based on equilibrium competition due to their steepness and roll-up phenomenon, where the least adsorbed components (moving faster in the column) are pushed out from the adsorbent by the more strongly adsorbed ones (moving slower in the column), and therefore their concentration rises above the feed in a sequential manner. Fig. 2 shows also the real-time RON of the product mixture leaving the column plotted Figure from where it can be read a value around 99 when only the di-branched hexanes 22DMB and 23DMB elute from the column separated from the other isomers. Moreover, the calculated productivity of MIL-160(Al) at a fixed RON of 92 results in an exceptional value of 1.21 mol.dm-3 (see Supplementary Information Section 4) which is more than two times higher than the value previously reported for the benchmark MOF (Fe2(BDP)3; 0.54 mol.dm-3)19. Note this is not the case for the parent isostructural Al isopthalate (or 1,3 Benzene dicarboxylate) CAU-10(Al) MOF.29 This solid differs from MIL-160(Al) by the nature of the constitutive organic spacer, with a 6-membered benzyl ring against a 5-membered furan heterocycle for MIL-160(Al). In the case of CAU-10, the 6-membered benzyl ring prevents such an efficient packing leading to a poor separation ability (Figure S15) This highlights the uniqueness of MIL-160 framework for such a separation.
Configurational-bias Monte Carlo (CBMC) simulations were further considered to shed light on the microscopic mechanism at the origin of the separation performance of MIL-160(Al) (see details in the Experimental Section and Supplementary Information Section 6). CBMC calculations were first conducted for the equimolar binary mixtures n-C6/2MP, 2MP/3MP, 2MP/23DMB, and 22DMB/23DMB and confirmed that the channels of MIL-160(Al) can accommodate all isomers and separate the linear to mono- and mono- to di-branched molecules, as observed experimentally (Supplementary Figures S28-31). The sorption hierarchy simulated at 423 K for the quinary mixture, i.e., n-C6 >> 2MP ≈ 3MP >> 23DMB > 22DMB (Fig. 3a) correlate well with the sequence of the Henry constants simulated for all isomers (Supplementary Table S15) and is in line with the breakthrough data collected at the same temperature. This clearly indicates that the separation is equilibrium-based and not kinetically controlled. Fig. 4a illustrates the preferential sittings and conformations of each hexane isomer in the quinary mixture. The linear hexane molecules are found to be aligned both along and across the MIL-160(Al) channel direction to favor interactions between the MOF pore wall and the largest fraction of the hexane skeleton (Fig. 4b). Typically, in this arrangement n-C6 interacts via its terminal -CH3 centers with two furan linkers and its –CH2 center with the adjacent side walls associated with standard van der waals (vdw) dispersive interaction distances from 3.5 Å (see corresponding radial distribution functions in Supplementary Figure S32). In an optimal scenario (Supplementary Figure S33), the backbone of a n-C6 aligns perpendicular to the channel in such a way that all CH3 and CH2 centers effectively interact with the MOF pore walls. This particular orientation maximizes the n-C6/MIL-160(Al) interactions from an interplay between the dimensionality of the MOF pore (5.8 Å) that fits with that of the linear n-C6 molecule (6.2 Å), and the low sterically-constrained five-membered ring linkers that confer the linear molecules to establish close contacts with both furan ring and carboxylate groups. Thanks to their similar dimension and flexibility as n-C6, the mono branched 2MP and 3MP isomers can be equally aligned across the MIL-160(Al) channels (Figs. 4c and 4d), interacting with opposite pore walls and multiple furan linkers as depicted in Supplementary Figure S34 however associated with an adsorption affinity slightly lower than for n-C6 (Supplementary Table S15). In sharp contrast, the more compact di-branched dimethyl butane isomers are shorter and not flexible enough to adapt similar optimal arrangements (Figs. 4e and 4f), and only a small fraction of the carbon centers (1 or 2) effectively interact with the MOF pore walls (Supplementary Figure S35). This illustrates the weakening of the host/guest vdw interactions with increasing degree of branching and the low uptake of 22DMB and 23DMB in the quinary mixture.
In separation processes, shaped sorbent with the appropriate particle size and density is a practical pre-requisite. The shaped particles, that usually contain a few wt % of an inorganic or polymeric binder, shall also maintain the sorption properties of the powder. Therefore, 2.0 to 3.35 mm shaped beads of MIL-160(Al) were produced through a wet granulation process using an inorganic binder following a previously reported protocol.27 We further revealed that MIL-160(Al) maintains its selectivity performance under similar working conditions with the use of these shaped beads, while only a minimal decrease in adsorption capacity was observed from 1.16 mol.dm-3 to 1.02 mol.dm-3 resulting from the presence of binder incorporated in the shaped sample (Supplementary Figure S21). This result is of importance for a further integration of this material in the industrial process.
MIL-160(Al) for separating branched hexane and pentane isomers into HRON and LRON fractions
Since the feed of an actual TIP process contains both pentane and hexane isomers, fixed bed breakthrough experiments were further performed with a feed mixture containing all the pentane and hexane isomers in the powdered MIL-160(Al) at 423 K and total isomer pressure of 50 kPa (Fig. 5a). The sorption hierarchy was found in the order of n-C6 >> 2MP ≈ 3MP >> n-C5 > 23DMB > i-C5 ≈ 22DMB. Indeed, while the HRON i-C5 and 22DMB elute early — practically together — unwantedly the LRON n-C5 elutes later, almost simultaneously with the HRON 23DMB, leading to a substantial drop in the productivity to 0.69 mol.dm-3 (vs. 1.16 mol.dm-3 for hexane isomers only) for a fixed RON of 92. This experimental sorption hierarchy was well captured by CBMC simulations, however with a lower simulated i-C5 uptake as compared to the breakthrough data (Fig. 3b). The organization of all hexane molecules in the MIL-160 channel remains the same as observed for the equimolar hexane isomers mixture (see Supplementary Figure S36). The conformations of the mono-branched i-C5 are rather similar to those of di-branched hexane isomers (see Supplementary Figure S37). In addition, linear n-C5 molecules tend to adopt aligned configurations like n-C6. However, its shorter length does not maximize the interactions with the pore walls, particularly in the conformation perpendicular to the channel, since only a fraction of its carbon sites establishes close contacts with the furan linkers (see Supplementary Figure S38).
Interestingly, if one removes the LRON normal paraffins (i.e., n-C5 and n-C6) from the feed mixture, a desired separation into two distinct fractions of HRON (23DMB > i-C5 ≈ 22DMB) and LRON (2MP ≈ 3MP) paraffins (Fig. 5b) is readily achieved. In this condition, at the early stage of the breakthrough when only the 22DMB/i-C5/23DMB components elute from the column, a maximum RON of 97 is obtained. Importantly, MIL-160(Al) exhibits a productivity of 2.56 mol.dm3 at a RON of 92 which becomes even higher at 373 K (3.92 mol.dm3). Noteworthy, this is the first experimental evidence that an adsorbent effectively fractionates pentane and hexane branched isomers into two distinct HRON and LRON fractions. CBMC simulations performed for the same equimolar quinary mixture of mono- and di-branched alkanes again confirm this separation hierarchy driven by an equilibrium process (see Supplementary Figure S39).
Synergistic action of MIL-160(Al) and Zeolite 5A to separate all hexane and pentane isomers into classes of HRON and LRON fractions
As a next step, we deliberately chose to associate MIL-160(Al) with the commercially available zeolite 5A — known for its unique size-selective separation of linear/branched paraffins — to design a single adsorption bed able to feed all the pentane and hexane isomers and separate them into HRON and LRON fractions (Fig. 1). The corresponding experimental breakthrough data collected for the mixed bed of 70 wt% MIL-160(Al) (shaped beads of 2.0 to 3.35 mm) and 30 wt% zeolite 5A (binder-free beads of 1.2 to 2.0 mm) at industrially relevant separation conditions (423 K and 50 kPa of total isomers pressure), demonstrates the desired discrimination between fractions of HRON (22DMB, 23DMB and i-C5), and LRON (n-C6, n-C5, 2MP and 3MP) isomers. Fig. 6a reveals an ideal sorption hierarchy: n-C6 >> n-C5 >> 2MP ≈ 3MP >>> 23DMB > i-C5 ≈ 22DMB associated with an excellent productivity of 1.14 mol.dm3 for a RON of 92.
A preliminary cyclic PSA experiment was then carried out with all pentane and hexane isomers mixture to prove that the MIL-160(Al)/Zeolite 5A duo can be effective to upgrade the actual TIP process under continuous cyclic adsorption operation. Fig. 6b shows the Cyclic Steady State (CSS) of a simplified 2-step PSA experiment, i.e., (i) pressurization and adsorption with feed and (ii) vacuum countercurrent depressurization with inert He purge (desorption). This experiment revealed that at step I (adsorption), the mass front of the HRON 22DMB and i-C5 has completely left the column, while the mass transfer front of 23DMB is concentrated at the edge of the column. The mass transfer front of the other LRON isomers mostly remains inside of the bed. Decisively, this PSA experiment confirms the viability of the novel mixed bed adsorbent to separate all pentane and hexane isomers in continuous cyclic operation into distinct HRON and LRON fractions.
Outlook
This work reveals that a synergistic action of a mixed-bed made by the robust bio-derived MOF MIL-160(Al) together with the commercially available zeolite 5A achieves an efficient separation of all pentane and hexane isomers according to the degree of branching, associated with valuable HRON and LRON fractions, leading to the complete fractionation of light naphtha (RON<70) into an HRON hydrocarbon final product (RON > 92). The synergistic action of this mixed- zeolite/MOF bed is required to prevent the elution of the linear LRON n-C5 together with 23DMB in the HRON fraction if only a single-bed of MOF MIL-160(Al) is used. As a result, it was demonstrated that a spectacular separation of all pentane and hexane isomers under relevant industrial operating conditions is achieved with an exceptional ideal productivity of 1.14 mol.dm-3. Through preliminary PSA experiments, this MOF/zeolite duo mixed-bed was proven to operate under cyclic operating conditions and therefore be incorporated in the so-called TIP process. As MIL-160(Al) can be produced at multi kilogram scale with a predicted low-cost industrial production25 while zeolite 5A is already commercially available, this gives the building block for further testing at pilot-scale prior to envisaging industrial commercialization. This advanced staged recycling technology might not only provide the production of higher quality clean gasoline but also fills the gap in the current industrial adsorption separation science by combining two prominent classes of porous materials, paving the way for the design of new separative processes that will exploit MOFs and zeolites complementary features.