Patent Publication Number: US-2021188740-A1

Title: Catalysts for single step double dehydrogenation of butadiene from n-butane

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/680,733, filed Jun. 5, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally concerns a catalyst for catalyzing double-dehydrogenation of butane. The catalyst can include a Column 13 or Column 14 metal or oxide thereof and a noble metal deposited on an iron-magnesium-silicon oxide (FeMgSiO) support. 
     B. Description of Related Art 
     Applications of butadiene (BD) in industries are increasing due to immense demand of BD as monomer for polymers, plastics, synthetic rubber or elastomers, noticeable of which are styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene rubber (PBR), polychloroprene (neoprene) and nitrile rubber (NR). Nearly 100% of BD produced globally is through steam cracking of ethylene, which obtain BD as a by-product from naphtha feedstock. Other competing technology for BD production is utilizing normal butenes feedstock, which can give reasonable yields. However, BD production from n-butane surpass both of the prelisted processes in terms of economics, as n-butane is an economical feed source. 
     Various attempts to use n-butane as a feed source for butadiene have been disclosed. By way of Example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,858 to Johann et al. discloses producing butadiene from n-butane using multi-step processing using supported molybdenum and bismuth catalyst as the dehydrogenation catalyst used to dehydrogenate 1-butene to butadiene. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,193,647 to Giesa et al., discloses producing butadiene from n-butane using multi-step processes that employs a Pt/Sn on alumina catalyst. 
     In yet another example, European Patent Application No. EP2832716 to Haufe et al. describes using a 2 catalyst system that uses a first catalyst that includes platinum and Ge, Ga, In, or Sn, preferably Sn on a trimetallic magnesium aluminate, and at least one element from Column 14 and a second catalyst that includes oxides of Mg, Mo, Bi, Co, Ni, NiAl, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Ti on silica or zirconia. These processes suffer in that they require at least two catalysts and multiple processing steps and/or reactors. 
     While various supported promoted catalysts and processes to produce butadiene are known, these catalyst and/or processes involve multiple steps to produce butadiene; resulting in inefficient processes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A solution to some of the problems discussed above concerning conversion of n-butane to butadiene has been discovered. The solution is premised on support bimetallic catalyst that is capable of producing butadiene in a single-step process. The supported bimetallic catalyst includes a noble metal, a Column 13 or a Column 14 metal, on an iron-alkaline earth metal-silica based support. The iron or oxides thereof and alkaline earth metal or oxides thereof are dispersed throughout the silica matrix of the support and/or are arranged such that an iron core is surrounded by hierarchy of silicon and alkaline earth metal (e.g., Mg) oxide. This is achieved by producing the silica support in situ (e.g., through co-precipitation methods using tetra-alkyl silicate and iron citrate as a chelating agent). The catalytic metals (e.g., palladium (Pd) and gallium (Ga)) can be deposited on the Fe-alkaline earth metal-silica support. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that when the iron is in the support material (e.g., in the core of the framework) it acts as a stabilizer for the in situ generated silica support for longer stability rather than a surface active metal. 
     In one aspect of the current invention, catalysts capable of producing butadiene from n-butane are described. A catalyst can include a catalytic Column 13 or Column 14 metal and a silica support that includes an alkaline earth metal or oxide thereof, and an iron metal or oxide thereof dispersed throughout the silica (Fe-alkaline earth metal-SiO x , where x balances the valence of the catalyst). In some embodiments, the Fe-alkaline earth metal-SiO x  supported catalyst can include a catalytic gallium and palladium metals oxides thereof, or alloys thereof. The alkaline earth metal can include magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or mixtures thereof, preferably magnesium. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is absent a molybdenum or bismuth or compounds thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the silica is not fumed silica. In some instances, the Column 13 metal is Ga, the noble metal is Pd, and the Ga:Pd molar ratio can be 0.01 to 0.5. The catalytic metals can be deposited on the Fe-alkaline earth metal-SiO support. In one instance, the catalyst consists of gallium and palladium metal, oxides thereof, or alloys thereof on a FeMgSiO support. The catalyst of the present invention can be capable of catalyzing double dehydrogenation of butane with a selectivity of at least 20 mol. %, preferably 35 mol. %, more preferably at least 50 mol. %. 
     In another aspect of the invention, methods for preparing the catalyst of the present invention are described. A method can include the steps of: (a) obtaining a solution of a silicon precursor material (e.g., tetra-alkyl silicate such as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), an alkaline earth metal precursor material, and an iron chelated material (e.g., iron citrate); (b) adding an alkaline solution to the step (a) solution to precipitate a silica/alkaline-earth metal/iron material; (c) contacting the precipitated material with an oxidizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to remove the chelating material (e.g., citrate); (d) heat treating (e.g., drying) the precipitating material to produce an Fe-alkaline earth metal-silica support material, where the iron and alkaline earth metal are dispersed throughout the silica; (e) contacting the Fe-alkaline earth metal-silica support material with a catalytic metal solution that include a Column 13 or Column 14 metal precursor under condition suitable to deposit the Column 13 or Column 14, and then depositing the noble metal on the support material to form a bimetallic supported catalyst precursor material; and (f) heat treating the bimetallic supported catalyst precursor material under conditions suitable to from the catalyst of the present invention. The alkaline earth metal precursor material can include magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, or combinations thereof, preferably a magnesium salt. Prior to step (c) the precipitated material can be dried at a temperature of 100 C. to 150° C., preferably 130° C. Step (b) precipitation can include adding an alkaline solution comprising ammonia, preferably ammonium hydroxide to the solution. The oxidizing solution in step (c) can be hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). The step (b), (c) or step (f) material can be isolated and dried at 100 C. to 150° C., preferably 130° C. The supported bimetallic material of step (f) can be calcined at a temperature of 300° C. to 550° C., preferably 450° C. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, methods of producing butadiene from n-butane are described. A method can include contacting a reactant feed that includes n-butane with the catalyst(s) of the present invention, or made by the methods of the present invention, under conditions sufficient to double dehydrogenate the butane and produce 1,3-butadiene. Conditions can include temperature (e.g., 450° C. to 600° C., preferably, 500° C. to 600° C.), weighted hourly space velocity (WHSV) (e.g., 1000 to 3000 preferably 1200 h −1  to 1500 h −1 , pressure (e.g., 0.001 MPa to 1 MPa), or combinations thereof. A n-butane volume to catalyst weight ratio is 100:1, 50:1, 20:1, or 10:1, preferably 20:1. The butadiene selectivity of the catalyst can be at least 50 mol. %, at 550° C. to 575° C. The butane conversion is at least 4 mol. %. In some embodiments, the reaction is done in the absence of hydrogen (H 2 ) and oxygen (O 2 ) gases. 
     The following includes definitions of various terms and phrases used throughout this specification. 
     An alkyl group is linear or branched, substituted or substituted, saturated hydrocarbon. Non-limiting examples of alkyl group substituents include alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, alkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, carboxylic acid, ester, amine, amide, nitrile, acyl, thiol and thioether. 
     The terms “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment, the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%. 
     The terms “wt. %”, “vol. %”, or “mol. %” refers to a weight percentage of a component, a volume percentage of a component, or molar percentage of a component, respectively, based on the total weight, the total volume of material, or total moles, that includes the component. In a non-limiting example, 10 grams of component in 100 grams of the material is 10 wt. % of component. 
     The term “substantially” and its variations are defined to include ranges within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, or within 0.5%. 
     The terms “inhibiting” or “reducing” or “preventing” or “avoiding” or any variation of these terms, when used in the claims and/or the specification includes any measurable decrease or complete inhibition to achieve a desired result. 
     The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and/or claims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intended result. 
     The use of the words “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with any of the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” or “having” in the claims, or the specification, may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” 
     The words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     The catalysts of the present invention can “comprise,” “consist essentially of,” or “consist of” particular ingredients, components, compositions, etc. disclosed throughout the specification. With respect to the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of,” in one non-limiting aspect, a basic and novel characteristic of the catalysts of the present invention are their abilities to catalyze production of butadiene from n-butane in a single reactant unit. 
     In the context of the present invention, at least twenty embodiments are now described. Embodiment 1 is a catalyst capable of catalyzing double-dehydrogenation of butane. The catalyst includes a Column 13 or Column 14 metal or oxide thereof and a noble metal deposited on an iron-alkaline earth metal-silicon oxide support. Embodiment 2 is the catalyst of embodiment 1, wherein the Column 13 is gallium oxide and a noble metal deposited on an iron-magnesium-silicon oxide (FeMgSiO) support. Embodiment 3 is the catalyst of any one of embodiment 1 to 2, wherein the catalyst does not include molybdenum or bismuth. Embodiment 4 is the catalyst of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the noble metal includes palladium, platinum, gold, ruthenium, rhodium, oxides thereof, or alloys thereof. Embodiment 5 is the catalyst of embodiment 4, wherein the noble metal is palladium (Pd). Embodiment 6 is the catalyst of embodiment 5, wherein the Column 13 metal is gallium (Ga). Embodiment 7 is the catalyst of embodiment 6, wherein the Ga:Pd molar ratio is 0.01 to 0.5. Embodiment 8 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the catalyst can catalyze double dehydrogenation of butane with a selectivity of at least 20 mol. %, preferably 35 mol. %, more preferably at least 50 mol. %. Embodiment 9 is the method of embodiment 1, wherein the catalyst consists of gallium and palladium metal, oxides thereof, or alloys thereof on a FeMgSiO support. 
     Embodiment 10 is a method of producing butadiene. The method includes the steps of contacting a feed stream containing butane with the catalyst of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 under conditions sufficient to double dehydrogenate the butane and produce a product stream that includes 1,3-butadiene. Embodiment 11 is the method of embodiment 10, wherein the conditions include a temperature from 450° C. to 600° C., preferably, 500° C. to 600° C. Embodiment 12 is the method of any one of embodiments 10 to 11, wherein the conditions include a weighted hourly space velocity of 1000 h −1  to 3000 h −1 , preferably 1500 h −1  to 2000 h −1 . Embodiment 13 is the method of any one of embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the conditions include a pressure of 0.1 MPa to 1 MPa. Embodiment 14 is the method of any one of embodiments 10 to 13, wherein a n-butane volume to catalyst weight ratio is 100:1, 50:1, 20:1, or 10:1. Embodiment 15 is the method of any one of embodiments 10 to 14, wherein the conversion is at least the conversion is at least 4 mol. %. Embodiment 16 is the method of any one of embodiments 10 to 15, wherein the selectivity to butadiene is at least 50 mol. % at 550° C. to 575° C. Embodiment 17 is the method of any one of embodiments 10 to 16, wherein that the reaction is done in the absence of hydrogen and oxygen gases. 
     Embodiment 18 is a method of making the catalyst of any one of embodiments 1 to 9. The method includes the steps of obtaining a solution of a silicon precursor material, an alkaline earth metal precursor material and an iron precursor material; adding an alkaline solution to the step (a) solution to precipitate a silica/alkaline-earth metal/iron material; contacting the precipitated material with an oxidizing agent to remove the precursor material; heat treating the precipitating material to produce an Fe-alkaline earth metal-silica support material, wherein the iron and alkaline earth metal are dispersed throughout the silica; depositing a Column 13 or Column 14 metal precursor material on the Fe-alkaline earth metal-silica support material, and then depositing a noble metal precursor on the supported Column 13 or Column 14 material to form a supported bimetallic catalyst precursor material; and heat treating the supported bimetallic catalyst precursor material under conditions suitable to from the catalyst of any one of embodiments 1 to 9. Embodiment 19 is the method of embodiment 18, wherein the iron precursor material is iron citrate. Embodiment 20 is the method of any one of embodiments 18 to 19, further including the step of isolating and drying the step (b), (c), or (f) precipitated material at a temperature of 100° C. to 150° C., preferably 130° C., and calcining the step (f) dried material at 300° C. to 550° C., preferably 450° C. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, and examples. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. In further embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, features from one embodiment may be combined with features from any of the other embodiments. In further embodiments, additional features may be added to the specific embodiments described herein. It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed herein can be implemented with respect to any method or composition of the invention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A discovery has been made that provides a solution to problems associated with catalysts used in processes to convert n-butane to butadiene. The discovery is premised on using a catalyst that includes catalytic metals and a silica support having iron or an oxide thereof and an alkaline earth metal or oxide thereof dispersed throughout the silica support. Non-limiting examples of the catalytic metals are noble metals (e.g., Pd), Column 13 metals, Column 14 metals, and combinations thereof. Preferably, Pd and Ga are used. Further, the catalytic activity and stability for the catalyst of the present invention is comparable or better as compared to the conventional catalysts for a multi-step process to produce butadiene. Therefore, the catalyst of the present invention provides a technical solution to at least some of the problems associated with the currently available catalysts for the dehydrogenation of butane mentioned above, such as low selectivity, low catalytic activity, and/or low stability. 
     These and other non-limiting aspects of the present invention are discussed in further detail in the following sections. 
     A. Catalysts of the Present Invention 
     The catalyst of the present invention can be a supported catalyst with an iron-stabilized alkaline earth metal-silica support. Non-limiting examples of alkaline earth metals (Column 2 of the Periodic Table) include Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of catalytic metals (noble metals and Columns 13 and 14 of the Periodic Table include Rh, palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), gallium (Ga), indium (In), germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi) oxides thereof, alloys thereof and mixtures thereof. The Fe-alkaline metal-silica support can include 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, to 3 wt. % or any value or range there between of iron and 20, 25, 30, 35, to 40 wt. % or any value or range there between of alkaline earth metal with the balance being silicon and oxygen. The catalyst of the present invention (Fe-alkaline metal-silica supported catalyst or physical mixture) can include up to 20 wt. % of the total amount of total catalytic transition metal, from 0.001 wt. % to 20 wt. %, from 0.01 wt. % to 15 wt. %, or from 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % and all wt. % or at least, equal to, or between any two of 0.001 wt. %, 0.01 wt. %, 0.1 wt. %, 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, 3 wt. %, 4 wt. %, 5 wt. %, 6 wt. %, 7 wt. %, 8 wt. %, 9 wt. %, 10 wt. %, 15 wt. %, and 50 wt. %, with the balance support. 
     In some embodiments, the catalyst includes gallium and palladium. The molar ratio of Ga:Pd in Fe-alkaline metal-silica supported catalyst or physical mixture can be range of 0.01 to 0.5 and all ranges and values there between including 0.01 to 0.5, 0.05 to 0.4, 0.01 to 0.30, or 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and all values and ranges there between. Overall, the active catalyst may have a composition of 3 to 20 wt. % palladium, 0.05 to 8 wt. % gallium, 40 to 80 wt. % silica, and 0.05 to 8 wt. % iron. 
     B. Preparation of the Catalysts of the Present Invention 
     The Fe-alkaline metal-silica support of the present invention are made co-precipitation methodology. The method is such that the alkaline earth metal-silicates are first introduced into an aqueous media in the form of sol, which has certain dimensions in terms of water ligands, alkaline earth metal and silica portion. The iron chelated precursor, which acts as a chelating agent in the silica-alkaline earth metal sol, can then be added. The support material can be precipitating from solution using alkaline solution, washed and dried. The dried material can be washed with an oxidizing solution to remove the chelating agent (e.g., citrate) and then dried. The catalytic metal can be precipitated or co-precipitated onto the dried support material. This methodology is in contrast to methods using hydrophilic silica (fumed silica) as a support. The resulting catalyst includes a bimetallic species decorated onto a porous support with iron core surrounded by hierarchy of silicon and alkaline earth metal (e.g., Mg) oxide. In some embodiments, the iron is dispersed throughout the silicon and alkaline earth metal (e.g., Mg) oxide porous support. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, a method may include providing an alkaline earth metal precursor solution. Non-limiting examples of the alkaline earth metal precursors may include magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, calcium chloride, strontium chloride, strontium acetate, barium chloride, barium acetate, and combinations thereof. The solution can water. The alkaline earth metal salt solution may have a concentration in a range of 0.1 to 5 M and all ranges and values there between including 0.1 to 0.2 M, 0.2 to 0.4 M, 0.4 to 0.6 M, 0.6 to 0.8 M, 0.8 to 1.0 M, 1.0 to 1.2 M, 1.2 to 1.4 M, 1.4 to 1.6 M, 1.6 to 1.8 M, 1.8 to 2.0 M, 2.0 to 2.2 M, 2.2 to 2.4 M, 2.4 to 2.6 M, 2.6 to 2.8 M, 2.8 to 3.0 M, 3.0 to 3.2 M, 3.2 to 3.4 M, 3.4 to 3.6 M, 3.6 to 3.8 M, 3.8 to 4.0 M, 4.0 to 4.2 M, 4.2 to 4.4 M, 4.4 to 4.6 M, 4.6 to 4.8 M, and 4.8 to 5.0 M. In embodiments of the invention, the alkaline metal salt solution may be continuously stirred under a temperature in a range of 45° C. to 90° C. and all ranges and values there between. The duration for stirring may be in a range of 1 to 5 hours and all ranges and values there between. 
     A silica precursor material can be added to the alkaline earth metal solution. In some embodiments, the silica precursor material is added slowly (e.g., dropwise over time). Non-limiting examples of silica precursor material includes tetra-alkyl silicate, diethoxydimethylsilane (DEMS), tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and combinations thereof. In embodiments of the invention, the tetra-alkyl silicate can be TEOS. According to embodiments of the invention, the first mixture may have a alkaline earth metal to silicon weight (e.g., Mg:Si) ratio of 0.05 to 3 and all ranges and values there between including 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, and 3.0. 
     A precipitating agent can be added to the first mixture to form a second mixture. A non-limiting example of the precipitating agent may include ammonia or ammonia hydroxide (e.g., 1 to 8 M, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 M). In embodiments of the invention, the amount of the precipitating agent added to the first mixture may be in a range of 45 to 100 mL, or and all ranges and values there between, including 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 mL. The second mixture may be continuously stirred for a duration of 0.5 to 5 hrs including 1, hrs, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, 4 hrs, and 5 hrs at a temperature of 20 to 30° C., or about 25° C. until a gel is obtained. The composition of the second mixture can include at least, equal to or between any two of 20, 25, 30 and 40 wt. % magnesium, at least, equal to or between any two of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 wt. % iron, at least, equal to or between any two of 57, 60, 65, 70, 75 to 79.5 wt. % silica. 
     The gel from the second mixture can be isolated (e.g., filtered or centrifuged), washed with hot water to remove the ammonia, and dried. Drying temperatures can range from 100 to 150° C. and all values and ranges there between including 100 to 105° C., 105 to 110° C., 110 to 115° C., 115 to 120° C., 120 to 125° C., 125 to 130° C., 130 to 135° C., 135 to 140° C., 140 to 145° C., and 145 to 150° C. The drying process may be 5 to 12 hrs and all ranges and values there between including 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, 11 hrs. The dried gel can be contacted with an oxidizing solution (e.g., 50 mL of 10% H 2 O 2 ). In some embodiments, contacting includes immersing the dried gel in an oxidizing solution. Contacting the dried gel with the oxidizing solution removes the remaining chelating material(s) and provides a solid material having iron and alkaline earth metal dispersed throughout the solid. 
     The dried Fe-alkaline earth metal-SiO material can be precipitated or co-precipitated with the catalytic metal precursor (e.g., the noble metal and a Column 13 or Column 14 metal precursor). The dried Fe-alkaline earth metal-SiO material can be dispersed in a solvent (e.g., water) and agitated at a temperature of 25 to 100° C., 50 to 80° C., or all values and ranges there between to form an aqueous dispersion. Agitation can range for 0.5 hours to 5 hours, or 1 to 3 hours or any values or ranges there between. A catalytic metal precursor solution can be added to the aqueous dispersion. One or more catalytic metal precursor solutions can be prepared by adding a catalytic metal salt (e.g., a halide, nitrate, acetate, oxide, hydroxide, etc.) to a solvent. Non-limiting examples of the precursor solutions include an aqueous gallium oxide solution and an aqueous solution of a palladium nitrate. 
     The solutions can be added stepwise to the Fe-alkaline earth metal-Si support material or at the same time. In one example, the Column 13 or Column 14 metal precursor solution can be added to an aqueous solution of the support material of the present invention. The resulting dispersion can be agitated at for 0.5 hours to 15 hours, or 10 to 12 hours or any values or ranges there between at 25 to 110° C., 80 to 100° C., or all values and ranges there between to form solid material that includes the Column 13 or Column 14 metal on the support material. The supported material can be dried temperatures can range from 100 to 120° C. and all values and ranges there between including 100 to 105° C., 105 to 110° C., 110 to 115° C., and 115 to 120° C. The drying process may be 5 to 12 hrs and all ranges and values there between including 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, 11 hrs. The material can be reduced in size (e.g., powdered) and dispersed in water. The noble metal precursor solution can be added to Column 13 or 14 metal/support suspension. The resulting dispersion can be agitated at for 0.5 hours to 15 hours, or 10 to 12 hours or any values or ranges there between at 20 to 50° C., 25 to 35° C., or all values and ranges there between to form a supported bimetallic material. The supported bimetallic material can be dried temperatures can range from 100 to 150° C. and all values and ranges there between including 100 to 105° C., 105 to 110° C., 110 to 115° C., 115 to 120° C., 120 to 125° C., 125 to 130° C., 130 to 135° C., 135 to 140° C., 140 to 145° C., and 145 to 150° C. The drying process may be 5 to 12 hrs and all ranges and values there between including 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, 11 hrs. 
     The supported material of the present invention can be calcined at a temperature of 350 to 600° C. and all ranges and values there between including 350 to 360° C., 360 to 370° C., 370 to 380° C., 380 to 390° C., 390 to 400° C., 400 to 410° C., 410 to 420° C., 420 to 430° C., 430 to 440° C., 440 to 450° C., 450 to 460° C., 460 to 470° C., 470 to 480° C., 480 to 490° C., 490 to 500° C., 500 to 510° C., 510 to 520° C., 520 to 530° C., 530 to 540° C., 540 to 550° C., 550 to 560° C., 560 to 570° C., 570 to 580° C., 580 to 590° C., 590 to 600° C. to produce the catalytic bimetallic catalyst deposited on the Fe-alkaline earth metal silica support of the present invention. A heating rate for the calcination may be in a range of 1 to 5° C./min and all ranges and values there between including 2° C./min, 3° C./min, and 4° C./min. A calcination duration may be in a range of 2 to 12 hrs and all ranges and values there between including 3 hrs, 4 hrs, 5 hrs, 6 hrs, 7 hrs, 8 hrs, 9 hrs, 10 hrs, and 11 hrs. 
     The catalyst of the present invention can be further processed into a shaped form using known pelletizing, tableting procedures. 
     C. Method of Producing 1,3-Butadiene from a Reactant Feed that Includes n-Butane. 
     The active bimetallic supported catalyst of the present invention can catalyze the conversion of a reactant feed that includes n-butane to produce a product stream that includes butadiene (e.g., 1,3-butadiene). 
     In embodiments of the invention, the feed stream can include 5 to 50 vol. % butane and the balance an inert gas (e.g., helium, nitrogen, argon, methane, and the like). The reaction conditions can include temperature, pressure and WHSV. The reaction temperature in a range of 450 to 600° C. and all ranges and values there between including 450 to 600° C., 475 to 575° C., and 500 to 550° C. The reaction conditions can include a reaction pressure in a range of 0 to 1.0 MPa and all ranges and values there between including 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 MPa. In embodiments of the invention, a weight hourly space velocity for the synthesis gas can a range of 1200 to 2500 hr −1 , and all ranges and values there between 1200 to 1300 hr −1 , 1300 to 1400 hr −1 , 1400 to 1500 hr 31 1 , 1500 to 1600 hr −1 , 1600 to 1700 hr −1 , 1700 to 1800 hr −1 , 1800 to 1900 hr −1 , 1900 to 2000 hr 31 1 , 2000 to 2100 hr −1 , 2100 to 2200 hr −1 , 2200 to 2300 hr −1 , 2300 to 2400 hr −1 , and 2400 to 2500 hr −1 . Contact of the reactant gas feed with the catalyst produces a product stream that includes 1,3-butadiene olefins, and other by-products of the reaction. By-products such as other olefins and alkanes (e.g., olefins and alkanes having 2, 3, 4, and 5 carbon atoms (C2-C5)). Non-limiting examples of by-products include methane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, and butenes (e.g., trans-2-butene, 1-butene, iso-butene, cis-2-butene and the like). The by-products can be separated from the product stream using known separation methods such as distillation, membrane separations and the like, which are known in the art. 
     A conversion rate of the n-butane can be at least 4 to 100%, or at least, equal to, or between any two of 4%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. 1,3-butadiene selectivity can range from 50 to 100%, or at least, equal to, or between any two of 50, 55, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100%. In some instances, the 1,3-butadiene selectivity at 550 to 575° C. is at least 50% in a single pass. 
     The method can also include activating the catalyst prior to contact with the reactant feed. To activate the catalyst a gas stream including a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen) and a chemically inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) can be contacted with the catalyst (e.g., flow through the catalyst bed) at a temperature of 250 up to 450° C. and all ranges and values there between. A molar ratio for reducing gas to inert gas in the gas stream can be about 0.1:1. A heating rate for the activation may be in a range of 2 to 5° C./min and all ranges and values there between including 3° C./min and 4° C./min. A weight hourly space velocity for the gas stream containing the reducing gas may be in a range of 3200 to 4000 hr −1  and all ranges and values there between including 3200 to 3250 hr −1 , 3250 to 3300 hr −1 , 3300 to 3350 hr −1 , 3350 to 3400 hr −1 , 3400 to 3450 hr −1 , 3450 to 3500 hr −1 , 3500 to 3550 hr −1 , 3550 to 3600 hr −1 , 3600 to 3650 hr −1 , 3650 to 3700 hr −1 , 3700 to 3750 hr −1 , 3750 to 3800 hr −1 , 3800 to 3850 hr −1 , 3850 to 3900 hr −1 , 3900 to 3950 hr −1 , and 3950 to 4000 hr −1 . 
     In embodiments of the invention, an apparatus can be adapted for conversion of n-butane to 1,3-butadiene using the aforementioned active catalyst. The apparatus can include a fixed-bed flow reactor. The apparatus can include a catalyst bed in a fixed-bed flow reactor. The apparatus can also include a housing for containing the catalyst bed. In some embodiments the apparatus can include inlet means for introducing synthesis gas to the catalyst bed. The inlet means can an entrance adapted to receive n-butane. Further the apparatus can include an outlet means for removing the product stream that includes 1,3-butadiene from the apparatus. The outlet means can include an exit adapted to flow the product stream from the housing. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus can include the catalyst according to embodiments of the invention disposed in the catalyst bed. According to embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may be a fluidized bed reactor, and/or a slurry reactor. 
     EXAMPLES 
     The present invention will be described in greater detail by way of specific examples. The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of noncritical parameters which can be changed or modified to yield essentially the same results. 
     Materials Used 
     The following lab grade chemicals were obtained from SigmaMillipore without further purification magnesium chloride (1 M soln.), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), ferric citrate, liquid ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, palladium nitrate dihydrate (&gt;97% purity), Cobalt (II) nitrate hexa hydrate (&gt;98% purity). 
     Example 1 
     (Synthesis of GaPd/FeMgSiO Support) 
     Magnesium chloride (20 ml of the 1 M solution) was diluted with deionized H 2 O (to 100 mL) and stirred vigorously at 50° C. Afterwards, TEOS (10.4 g) was dropped into it. Then, ferric citrate crystals (0.25 g) were added and continued to stir for 2 h. At this stage, NH 4 OH (5 M, 36 ml stock up to 100 mL total) was added to the solution and the solution stirred for another 2 h before filtration to complete precipitation and then washed with hot water. The obtained material was dried overnight and then immersed in hydrogen peroxide (15% 50 ml) for 1 h. After drying the support material for 4 h, the dried support material (2.5 g) was suspended in ethanol (15 mL) and stirred for an hour at 25 to 35° C. (ambient temperature). Gallium oxide (0.35 g) was mixed with hydrochloric acid (10 g, 37%) for about 5 minutes and the added to the support suspension. The suspension was stirred for 10 to 15 hours at ambient temperature. The slurry was dried at about 100° C. for 5 h. The dried material was crushed to a powder form. The powder was suspended in water (15 mL). 
     Palladium nitrate dihydrate (0.56 g) was dissolved in deionized water (15 mL) and added slowly to the aqueous support suspension. The resulting mixture was aged for 10 to 15 hours (overnight), followed by at 115° C. (5 h ramp at 1° C./min) and calcination in static air at 450° C. (11 h, 5° C./min). The catalyst was denoted by the symbol “A” hereafter. 
     Example 2 
     (Catalyst Activity/Selectivity Evaluation) 
     The catalyst from Example 1 was evaluated for the activity and selectivity for the production of 1,3-butadiene in a fixed bed flow reactor setup housed in temperature controlled system fitted with regulators to maintain pressure during the reaction. Prior to activity measurement, all of the catalysts were subjected to activation/reduction procedure which was performed at 250° C. (1 h), 350° C. (1 h) and 450° C. (1 h) with the ramp rate of 3° C. min −1  in 10:90 H 2 /N 2  flow (WHSV: 1200 h −1 ). The products of the reactions were analyzed through online GC analysis using a Varian GC (Agilent Scientific Instruments, U.S.A.) equipped with a TCD and FID detectors. The catalytic evaluation was carried out under the following conditions unless otherwise mentioned elsewhere; catalyst 0.5 g, temperatures 500° C., 550° C., 600° C., WHSV 1200 h −1 , n-butane/helium ratio was 10/90, the feed flow was 100 mL min −1 , pressure of 0 to 1 bar (0 to 0.1 MPa) time on stream for each run was 2 h after 2 h of an initial stability. The mass balance of the reactions is calculated to be 100%±5. 
     Several catalysts are prepared and tested for the double dehydrogenation activity using the method of Example 1, and were found be selective for producing butadiene (BD) at a maximum of 50% from n-butane feed stock without utilizing hydrogen as a co-feed. Bimetallic gallium palladium supported on iron cored silica/magnesia porous support withstands the high temperature conditions required for double dehydrogenation and provides a good catalyst for on-purpose BD production from n-butane. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Temperature [° C.] 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 500 
                 550 
                 600 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Conversion (mol. %) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 4 
                 5 
                 7 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Selectivities (mol. %) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1,3-Butadiene 
                 36 
                 50.32 
                 22.12 
               
               
                   
                 Methane 
                 0.14 
                 0.96 
                 3.97 
               
               
                   
                 Ethane 
                 0.13 
                 0.51 
                 0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ethylene 
                 0.52 
                 1.57 
                 10.75 
               
               
                   
                 Propane 
                 0.29 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Propylene 
                 0.57 
                 2.20 
                 11.93 
               
               
                   
                 Trans-2-Butene 
                 35.66 
                 20.64 
                 30.71 
               
               
                   
                 1-Butene 
                 13.36 
                 12.58 
                 11.71 
               
               
                   
                 Iso-butene 
                 0.65 
                 0.85 
                 0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Cis-2-Butene 
                 12.69 
                 10.42 
                 8.81 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Although embodiments of the present application and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the above disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein can be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.