A Practical Guide to Heterogeneous Catalysis in Hydrocarbon Transformations

A focused overview of the catalytic processing of hydrocarbons to transform them into more valuable compounds is presented. This work is intended to assist BSc, MSc, and PhD students, as well as junior researchers, in selecting and performing appropriate heterogeneous catalytic processes for specific heterogeneous catalytic reactions.

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.

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