SK Innovation has patented a method for producing a heterogeneous nickel-based oligomerization catalyst. This catalyst features single-atom nickel supported on an Al-mesoporous silicate, enabling efficient oligomerization of light olefins, particularly C4 olefins, through a specific ion exchange and heat treatment process. GlobalData’s report on SK Innovation gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

Smarter leaders trust GlobalData

Report-cover

Data Insights SK Innovation Co Ltd - Company Profile

Buy the Report

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

According to GlobalData’s company profile on SK Innovation, Battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. SK Innovation's grant share as of June 2024 was 34%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Heterogeneous nickel-based catalyst for light olefin oligomerization

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: SK Innovation Co Ltd

The patent US12042787B2 outlines a method for producing a heterogeneous oligomerization catalyst utilizing a Na-type Al-mesoporous silicate as a support. The process begins with the provision of a silicate that has a Si/Al atomic ratio between 5 and 20, where aluminum creates acid sites and sodium ions are bound to these sites. The method involves ion exchanging the sodium ions with nickel ions from a nickel compound with a +2 oxidation state, ensuring that at least 95% of the sodium ions are replaced. Following this, the catalyst undergoes heat treatment, resulting in nickel being supported as single atoms on the silicate. The final catalyst contains nickel in a weight range of 0.1% to 10%, with an acid amount of less than 50 µmol/g and a nickel-to-aluminum molar ratio between 0.3 and 1.

Additional specifications of the method include the use of specific types of Al-mesoporous silicates, such as AlMCM-48 or AlMCM-41, which should have a specific surface area of 200 to 1200 m²/g, a pore volume of 0.3 to 0.6 cc/g, and an average pore diameter of 18 to 40 Å. The ion exchange process can be conducted at temperatures ranging from 50°C to 100°C, while the heat treatment occurs at temperatures between 250°C and 1000°C in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The resulting oligomerization catalyst is characterized by a specific surface area of 150 to 1000 m²/g, a pore volume of 0.2 to 0.5 cc/g, and an average pore diameter of 10 to 35 Å, with a particle size ranging from 1 to 500 µm. Notably, the catalyst is designed to be substantially free of nickel oxide (NiO).

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on SK Innovation, buy the report here.

Data Insights

From

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.

GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.