Hydrogenation of Polystyrene in CO2-Expanded Solvents: Catalyst Poisoning

Organic solvents expanded with supercritical carbon dioxide can be excellent media for hydrogenation reactions. However, catalyst poisoning by CO formed via the reverse water-gas-shift reaction occurs during many hydrogenations in the presence of CO2. In this research, the hydrogenation of polystyrene in CO2-expanded decahydronaphthalene was studied in a batch reactor using two hydrogenation catalysts, 5%Pd/BaSO4 and 65%Ni/Al2O3/SiO2. The 5%Pd/BaSO4 catalyst deactivated at 150 (degree)C and CO2 pressures of 250-2250 psig (1.8-15.6 MPa). Approximately 50 ppm CO was present in the CO2rich light phase after about 10 h at 150 (degree)C, 750 psig H2 pressure, and 2250 psig CO2 pressure. A model that incorporates CO poisoning was developed to describe deactivation of the Pd/BaSO4 catalyst. The 65%Ni/Al2O3/SiO2 catalyst was more active for ring hydrogenation than 5%Pd/BaSO4, and very little CO was formed in the presence of CO2. The Ni catalyst deactivated in the presence of CO2 at 180 (degree)C, possibly due to H2O formed in a methanation reaction.