Structured catalysts Of biofules transformation into syngas: Design and performance

Title : Structured catalysts Of biofules transformation into syngas: Design and performance

Abstract:

Efficient, inexpensive  and stable to coking nanocomposite catalysts for transformation of natural gas/biogas/biofuels into syngas and hydrogen were developed comprised of nanoparticles of metals/alloys (Ni, Co, Pt, Ni+Pt, Ni+Ru) supported on perovskites (La_1-xPr_xMn_1-yCr_yO₃-_d, CaTiO₃),  fluorite Ln-Ce-Zr-O (Ln = La, Pr, Sm), rutile (Ln)TiO₂ and spinel Mn_xCr_3-xO₄ oxides  and their nanocomposites with a high oxygen mobility and reactivity, either bulk or supported on doped MgAl₂O₄  with ordered mesoporous structure. Pulse microcalorimetry and transient kinetic studies (including SSITKA and FTIRS in situ for estimation of rate constants of reaction steps) revealed that mechanism of biofuels transformation on these catalysts can be described by a bifunctional  red-ox scheme with activation of fuel molecules on Me/oxide sites and oxidants (H₂O, CO₂, O₂)- on reduced sites of the oxide support.  Fast  diffusion of surface oxygen  (bridging M₂O) species to the Me/support interface provides the efficient transformation of activated fuel species  into syngas by incorporation into C-C bond, thus preventing coking. Effect of the active component composition, specificity of the surface sites and nature of oxidant on mechanism of  biofuels transformation into syngas was elucidated. Preparation procedures  of active components were optimized  to provide nanostructures ensuring high oxygen mobility and developed  metal-support interface. Metal substrates for structured catalysts based on Ni-Al(C)  foams, Fechraloy foils/honeycombs, gauzes and microchannel platelets  were covered by protective La₂Zr₂O₇ - LaAlO₃ layers sintered by e-beams. Layers  of optimized  active components were supported on  these substrates from suspension, and after drying were sintered either in the furnace or by e-beams. Structured catalysts were tested in pilot reactors in steam, dry, partial oxidation and autothermal  reforming of biofuels at short contact times using concentrated feeds.  A high yield of syngas approaching equilibrium and stable performance without coking were demonstrated  even for such fuels as glycerol, acetic acid, acetone,   sunflower and turpentine oils, better for the case of catalysts sintered by e-beams. Mathematical modeling demonstrated absence of any heat transfer limitations due to a high thermal conductivity of substrates. No spallation or cracking of the active component layers supported on substrates was revealed. Reactors equipped with internal heat exchanger were designed allowing stable and efficient operation in the autothermal mode of the mixture of natural gas and liquid biofuels at feeds inlet temperatures <50^oC. Support by the Russian Science Foundation grant 23-73-00045 is gratefully acknowledged.

Audience Take Away

• The  audience will be able to use this  information in going from atomic-scale features of the catalysts structure to pilot-scale testing of structured catalysts performance in biofuels reforming.
• This provides a practical solution to problem  of the efficient transformation of  biofuels  into syngas and hydrogen required by  the concept of green energy.
• It will  provide new information to assist in design of energy-efficient catalytic reactors for biofuels reforming.  

Biography:

Vladislav Sadykov is chief scientist at Boreskov Institute of Catalysis and Professor of Novosibirsk State University. His current research interest includes heterogeneous catalysis of red-ox processes for the energy production (including solid oxide fuel cells), catalytic processes of hydrogen and syngas generation, membrane reactors, technologies of nanophase and nanocomposite materials synthesis, solid state ionics. He has published more than 500 papers in peer-reviewed journals, four monographs and 7 Chapters  in books.  He is a member of the Editorial Boards of Applied Catalysis A, Membranes and Energies (MDPI), the member of the Materials Research Society (USA) and Russian Mendeleev Chemical Society.