A Practical Guide to Heterogeneous Catalysis in Hydrocarbon Transformations

Abstract

This contribution offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying heterogeneous catalysis for transforming biomass-derived hydrocarbons and oxygenates into high-value added products at the laboratory scale. Analysis of molecular foundations, catalyst selection criteria, experimental setups, and characterization techniques establishes a methodological basis for designing catalytic processes relevant to basic research and pre-industrial applications. Key catalytic mechanisms, including cracking, isomerization, C─C coupling, hydrogenation, and oxidation, are addressed, emphasizing the specific roles of active sites and how their acidic, basic, metallic, or redox nature influences system activity and selectivity. The comparison between batch and continuous flow reactors underscores the importance of their suitability to control the needed operating variables, including reproducibility and extrapolating kinetic data to industrial conditions. Likewise, rigorous mass balances and advanced analytical techniques are essential for comprehensively evaluating catalytic performance. The strategic relevance of heterogeneous catalysis is demonstrated in petroleum refining, biofuel production, plastic waste valorization, and renewable fuel synthesis. In these contexts, using bifunctional catalysts, including modified mesoporous materials and hybrid systems, has enabled significant improvements in conversion, selectivity, and operational process stability. This guide is a practical starting point for researchers entering the field, supporting the development of experimental projects and in-depth studies in heterogeneous catalysis.

Keywords: Catalysis; Guide; Hydrocarbons; Researcher; Student.

Figure 1

Selection of feedstock: model versus complex mixtures.

Figure 2

Catalytic reactions scheme in a (bio, renewable, standard)‐refinery.

Figure 3

Examples for hydrocarbon reactions scheme summary.^{[ 78} , ⁷⁹ , ⁸⁰ , ^{81 ]}

Figure 4

Example for the two basic types of reactors: a) batch reactor and b) continuous flow reactor.

Figure 5

TGA real example. Catalyst used (collected after reaction).

Figure 6

Theoretical model H₂‐TPR result for the NiO catalyst shows maximum intensity at 400 °C due to the reduction of NiO to Ni.

Figure 7

Example of samples obtained after a reaction in a batch reactor and their respective analyses.