US 12,421,184 B2
Processes for the pyrolysis of carbohydrates
William J. Collins, Mt. Zion, IL (US); Josh Terrian, Mt. Zion, IL (US); James Brazdil, Leland, NC (US); and Kevin Martin, Mt. Zion, IL (US)
Assigned to ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY, Decatur, IL (US)
Appl. No. 17/998,344
Filed by Archer Daniels Midland Company, Decatur, IL (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 28, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/029660
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 9, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/231089, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 18, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/023,763, filed on May 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0227391 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. C07C 45/60 (2006.01); B01J 21/08 (2006.01); B01J 23/28 (2006.01); B01J 23/30 (2006.01); B01J 35/30 (2024.01); B01J 35/61 (2024.01); B01J 37/02 (2006.01); B01J 37/03 (2006.01)
CPC C07C 45/60 (2013.01) [B01J 21/08 (2013.01); B01J 23/28 (2013.01); B01J 23/30 (2013.01); B01J 35/394 (2024.01); B01J 35/612 (2024.01); B01J 35/613 (2024.01); B01J 35/615 (2024.01); B01J 35/617 (2024.01); B01J 37/0219 (2013.01); B01J 37/0221 (2013.01); B01J 37/035 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
 
1. A process for preparing glycolaldehyde, the process comprising:
feeding a feed composition comprising a carbohydrate having at least four carbon atoms to a pyrolysis reaction zone; and
pyrolyzing the carbohydrate in the presence of water and a catalyst in the pyrolysis reaction zone to form a reaction product comprising glycolaldehyde, wherein the catalyst comprises a metal oxide on a catalyst support and at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(a) the pyrolysis reaction zone is heated to a temperature of 400° C. or greater;
(b) the catalyst support has a BET specific surface area that is 500 m2/g or less, 250 m2/g or less, 100 m2/g or less, 50 m2/g or less, 25 m2/g or less, 10 m2/g or less, 5 m2/g or less, or 1 m2/g or less;
(c) the catalyst support comprises a glass, ceramic, or refractory material;
(d) the pyrolysis reaction zone further comprises a reaction zone media that is different than the catalyst; and/or
(e) the yield of glycolaldehyde is 70% or greater, 75% or greater, or 80% or greater.