Lecture

Downstream fuel synthesis I

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In course

ChE-410: Catalysis for emission control and energy processes

The course is an introduction to heterogeneous catalysis for environmental protection and energy production. It focuses on catalytic exhaust gas cleaning as well as gaseous and liquid fuel production. The course content is intensified in experimental exerc ...

Description

This lecture covers the catalysis for emission control and energy production, focusing on downstream fuel synthesis from 2010 to 2030. Topics include reforming processes, such as steam, dry, and autothermal reforming, as well as methanation and methanol synthesis. The lecture also delves into catalyst deactivation due to carbon formation and the water gas shift reaction's application in ammonia production plants.

Instructor

Oliver Kröcher

Expertise Catalysis, Sustainable Energy Carriers from CO₂ and Biomass, Emission Control, Environmental Chemistry, Materials Chemistry Mission The Group for Sustainable Energy Carriers (GSE) at EPFL works on the development of catalytic processes for the production and use of carbon-neutral energy carriers and intermediates. Current Work Small-scale ammonia synthesis, using induction-heating and sorption-enhancement. Oliver Kröcher was born in Germany and received his Diploma in chemistry from the University

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Energy engineering

Fuel power: Hydrogen fuel

Related concepts (32)

Ammonia production

Ammonia production takes place worldwide, mostly in large-scale manufacturing plants that produce 235 million tonnes of ammonia (2021) annually. Leading producers are China (31.9%), Russia (8.7%), India (7.5%), and the United States (7.1%). 80% or more of ammonia is used as fertilizer. Ammonia is also used for the production of plastics, fibres, explosives, nitric acid (via the Ostwald process), and intermediates for dyes and pharmaceuticals. The industry contributes 1% to 2% of global CO2.

Heterogeneous catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis is catalysis where the phase of catalysts differs from that of the reactants or products. The process contrasts with homogeneous catalysis where the reactants, products and catalyst exist in the same phase. Phase distinguishes between not only solid, liquid, and gas components, but also immiscible mixtures (e.g. oil and water), or anywhere an interface is present. Heterogeneous catalysis typically involves solid phase catalysts and gas phase reactants.

United States vehicle emission standards

United States vehicle emission standards are set through a combination of legislative mandates enacted by Congress through Clean Air Act (CAA) amendments from 1970 onwards, and executive regulations managed nationally by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more recently along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These standard cover common motor vehicle air pollution, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate emissions, and newer versions have incorporated fuel economy standards.

Ammonia

Ammonia is an inorganic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . A stable binary hydride, and the simplest pnictogen hydride, ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinct pungent smell. Biologically, it is a common nitrogenous waste, particularly among aquatic organisms, and it contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to 45% of the world's food and fertilizers. Around 70% of ammonia is used to make fertilisers in various forms and composition, such as urea and diammonium phosphate.

Catalyst poisoning

Catalyst poisoning is the partial or total deactivation of a catalyst by a chemical compound. Poisoning refers specifically to chemical deactivation, rather than other mechanisms of catalyst degradation such as thermal decomposition or physical damage. Although usually undesirable, poisoning may be helpful when it results in improved catalyst selectivity (e.g. Lindlar's catalyst). An important historic example was the poisoning of catalytic converters by leaded fuel.

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