Utilization of natural gas in remote locations necessitates on-site conversion of methane into liquid fuels or high value products. The first step in forming high value products is the production of ethylene and acetylene. Non-thermal plasmas, due to their unique nonequilibrium characteristics, offer advantages over traditional methods of methane reforming. Different kinds of non-thermal plasmas are being investigated for methane reforming. Parameters of these processes like flow rate, discharge size, temperature and other variables determine efficiency of conversion. An efficient process is identified by a high yield and low specific energy of production for the desired product. A study of previous work reveals that higher energy density systems are more efficient for methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons as compared to low energy density systems. Some of the best results were found to be in the regime of warm discharges. Thermal equilibrium studies indicate that higher yields of ethylene are possible with an optimal control of reaction kinetics and fast quenching. With this idea, two different glow discharge reactor systems are designed and constructed for investigation of methane reforming. A counter flow micro plasma discharge system was used to investigate the trends of methane reforming products and the control parameters were optimized to get best possible ethylene yields while minimizing its specific energy. Later a magnetic glow discharge system is used and better results are obtained. Energy costs lower than thermal equilibrium calculations were achieved with magnetic glow discharge systems for both ethylene and acetylene. Yields are obtained from measurements of product concentrations using gas chromatography and power measurements are done using oscilloscope. Energy balance and mass balances are performed for product measurement accuracy and carbon deposition calculations. Carbon deposition is minimized through control of the temperature and residence time conditions in magnetic glow discharges. Ethylene production is observed to have lower specific energies at higher powers and lower flow rates in both reactors. An ethylene selectivity of 40 percent is achieved at an energy cost of 458MJ/Kg and an input energy cost of 5 MJ/Kg of methane.

O óxido de zircônio (ZrO2) é um material com características físicas e químicas que pode ser aplicado em vários campos, tanto de interesse industrial como acadêmico. Dentro da catálise, sistemas baseados em ZrO2 estão ganhando um crescente interesse, seja como suportes ou como catalisadores, tendo em vista que é possível alterar suas propriedades pela adição de diversos cátions. Este trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo de catalisadores de níquel suportados em ZrO2 modificados com os cátions, Mg2+, Ca2+, La3+ e Y3+ em diferentes proporções, e a aplicação dos mesmos nas reações de reforma seca de metano, reforma a vapor de metano, oxidação parcial de metano e reforma a vapor de etanol. Os suportes foram sintetizados pelo método de polimerização para a diluição dos cátions dentro da rede cristalina do ZrO2. A adição do níquel foi feita via impregnação úmida em uma proporção de 5% em massa para todos os suportes. Os suportes e catalisadores foram caracterizados por área superficial especifica, pelo método B.E.T., difração de raios-X, redução a temperatura programada, espectroscopia UV-Vis, ressonância paramagnética eletrônica e condutividade elétrica. A partir das caracterizações verificou-se que os suportes formaram soluções sólidas entre o ZrO2 e os cátions adicionados, em todas as proporções utilizadas. Também se observa que houve a estabilização da fase tetragonal do ZrO2, acompanhado de um aumento na área superficial, quando comparado ao ZrO2 puro, que apresentou uma mistura de fases tetragonal e monoclínica e uma baixa área superficial. As medidas de EPR mostraram a presença de radicais oxigênio cuja proporção aumentou em função do teor de aditivo utilizado no ZrO2, este efeito foi atribuído à presença de vacâncias de oxigênio. Nas medidas de RTP, observou-se uma variação no perfil de redução em função destas vacâncias, onde se identificou um efeito promotor na redução do NiO para menores temperaturas com o aumento do teor dos aditivos no ZrO2. Este efeito pode ser atribuído a interações entre as vacâncias de oxigênio nos suportes e espécies de níquel em contato com elas. Medidas de UV-Vis confirmaram a presença destas interações, que são dependentes tanto do cátion adicionado ao ZrO2, quanto do teor utilizado. As medidas de condutividade elétrica confirmaram a presença de vacâncias de oxigênio nos suportes. Nos ensaios de reforma seca de metano observou-se uma relação entre o comportamento catalítico e a condutividade elétrica dos suportes, sugerindo, assim, a participação das vacâncias de oxigênio na ativação das moléculas oxigenadas. Nos ensaios de reforma a vapor de metano e oxidação parcial de metano esta relação direta não foi observada, o que sugere diferentes mecanismos de ativação das moléculas oxigenadas por parte das vacâncias de oxigênio, além da influência de outros fatores. Nos ensaios de reforma a vapor de etanol, observou-se semelhança entre o comportamento catalítico desta reação e das reações de reforma seca, indicando similaridade na influência das modificações catalíticas no comportamento destas reações. / Zirconium dioxide is a material with physics and chemical characteristics that can be applied in many fields, as academic as industrial. In the catalysis, the interest in systems based on zirconia (ZrO2) are growing- up quickly, as a catalyst as a support, considering that ZrO2 properties can be changed by the addition of different cations. The objective of this work was the study of nickel catalyst supported on ZrO2, modified with the cations: Mg2+, Ca2+, La3+ and Y3+ in different proportions and their performance on catalytic tests of dry reforming of methane, steam reforming of methane, partial oxidation of methane and steam reforming of ethanol. The supports were prepared by the polymerization method for the dilution of the cations in the zirconia lattice. The nickel addition was made wet impregnation in a proportion of 5wt% for all the catalysts. Supports and catalysts were characterized by specific surface area (B.E.T method), Xray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electronic paramagnetic resonance and electrical conductibility. In the characterizations was observed the formation of solid solutions between the ZrO2 and the cations added in all proportions used. Also, it was observed the stabilization of tetragonal phase of ZrO2, accompanied by an increase in the surface area when compared to the pure ZrO2, which is a mixture of tetragonal and monoclinic phases with low surface area. The EPR measurements showed the presence of oxygen radicals whose proportion increased in function of the additive content in ZrO2, this effect was attributed to the presence of oxygen vacancies. In the TPR measurements, a variation on reduction patterns was observed in function of the oxygen vacancy presence, where is possible to identify a promoter effect on NiO reduction to lower temperature with the additive load increase in ZrO2. This effect can be attributed to interactions between the oxygen vacancies of support and nickel species close to them. UV-Vis measurements confirmed these interactions presence that are dependent both of the cation added as well the load used. The electrical conductivity measurements confirm the presence of oxygen vacancies in the supports. In the dry reforming of methane was observed a relation between the catalytic behavior and the electrical conductivity of the supports. This observation suggests the oxygen vacancies participation on oxygenates molecules activation. In the steam reforming of methane and the partial oxidation of methane this relation was not found, suggesting different ways for oxygenates molecules activation by the oxygen vacancies, besides other factors. In the steam reforming of ethanol, it was observed relation between the catalytic behavior of this reaction and the dry reforming of methane, indicating similarity on the influence of the catalyst modifications on the catalytic behavior of these reactions.

Na atualidade, a reforma do metano é de grande interesse industrial para o aproveitamento deste gás na produção de hidrogênio e de gás de síntese. Entre as reações de reforma do metano, destacam-se as reações de reforma a vapor e a reação com dióxido de carbono.O catalisador comumente utilizado nos processos re reforma do metano é Ni/Al2O3. Porém durante este processo, ocorre uma indesejada formação de depósitos de espécies carbonáceas na superfície deste catalisador, os quais levam a sua destruição mecânica e conseqüentemente sua desativação. Por isso, uma das propriedades mais importantes de um bom catalisador para as reações de reforma do metano é a sua resistência à desativação. Entre as propostas para melhorar o desempenho do catalisador encontra-se a incorporação do óxido de céria junto ao suporte alumina.Catalisadores 5%Ni/xCeO2/Al2O3 (x = 0, 1, 5, 10, 20 e 100%) forma preparados, caracterizados e submetidos a ensaios catalíticos nas reações de reforma a vapor e com dióxido de carbono de metano com objetivo de avaliar o efeito da adição de céria ao suporte.Os suportes e os catalisadores forma obtidos pelo método de impregnação e calcinados a 500ºC. Estes compostos foram caracterizados por Fisissorção de Nitrogênio pelo método B. E. T., Espectroscopia dispersiva de raios-X (EDX), espectroscopia de na região do ultra violeta e do visível (UV-vis-NIR) e Redução à Temperatura Programada (RTP). Após todas as reações catalíticas verificou-se que a adição de céria é benéfica ao catalisador Ni/Al2O3 e entre todos os catalisadores avaliados, o melhor desempenho obtido foram dos catalisadores contendo 20% de céria em massa, seguido do catalisador contendo 10%. / Nowadays, the methane reforming is large interest industrial for the take advantage of these gas in production the hydrogen and synthesis gas (syngas). Among in the reactions of methane stand of the reactiosn steam reformig and carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The main catalysts uses in the methane reforming is Ni/Al2O3. However, the supported-nickel catalyst is susceptible to the deactivation or the destruction by coke deposition. The carbon dissolves in the nickel crystallite and its diffuses through the nickel, leading for formation of the carbon whiskers, which results in fragmentation of the catalyst. Modification of such catalysts, like incorporation of suitable promoters, is desirable to achieve reduction of the methane hydrogenolysis and/or promotion of the carbon gasification. Catalysts 5%Ni/xCeO2/Al2O3 (x = 0, 1, 5, 10, 20 e 100%) were prepared, characterized and evalueted in reactions steam and carbon dioxide refoming of methane with objetive the value effect loading oxide ceria in support. The suppots and catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and calcined at 500ºC. The supports and catalysts were characterized by X Nitrogen Adsorption by B.E.T., method -rays diffraction (XRD), , Xrays dispersive spectroscopy (XDS), to spectroscopy in the region of the ultraviolet and the visible (UV-vis NIR) to and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). After all the catalytic reactions check which the addition of cerium is beneficial for Ni/Al2O3 catalysts and the best catlysts is 5%Ni/20%CeO2/Al2O3 following 5%Ni/10%CeO2/Al2O3.

Devido a crescente busca por fontes de energia que utilizem combustíveis renováveis, a utilização do biogás (mistura de gases produzida durante a digestão de matéria orgânica) proveniente do tratamento anaeróbio de águas residuárias e esgotos, surge como um processo promissor para a produção de gás de síntese (mistura de H2 e CO), contribuindo para a geração de produtos de maior valor agregado e para o aproveitamento de rejeitos industriais e domésticos. O biogás normalmente é composto de 60-65% de CH4 e 30-35% de CO2 e, de acordo com a composição do biogás, pode-se combinar processos de reforma do metano com CO2 e reforma a vapor do metano de modo a maximizar o consumo do CH4 excedente presente no biogás, para a geração de gás síntese. Catalisadores baratos e eficientes devem ser desenvolvidos para estas aplicações. Este trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo das melhores combinações destas reações em função da composição de alimentação do reator, aliado ao desenvolvimento de catalisadores de níquel, ítrio e alumínio, buscando minimizar a deposição de carbono, que é o principal problema encontrado nestes processos. Os catalisadores foram preparados pela técnica de coprecipitação de óxido de ítrio e alumínio, no qual se impregnou o óxido de níquel. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados por diversas técnicas: EDX, método B.E.T., DRX, RTP, XAS, além dos ensaios catalíticos para as reações de reforma do metano: com CO2, a vapor e oxidativa. Os resultados mostraram que é possível a preparação de catalisadores de níquel suportado em mistura de Y2O3-Al2O3, e que eles são ativos para as reações de reforma do metano. / Due to the considerable growth in the demand for energy sources that use renewable fuels, the use of biogas (a mixture of gases produced during digestion of organic matter) from the anaerobic treatment of wastewater and sewage, appears as a promising process for the production of synthesis gas (mixture of H2 and CO), contributing to the generation of products with higher value and the use of industrial wastes and domestic. Biogas is typically composed of 60-65% of CH4 and 30-35% of CO2 and, according to the composition of biogas, it can combine the reform processes of methane with CO2 and steam reforming of methane to maximize the consumption of CH4 excess present in the biogas to the production of the synthesis gas. Cheap and efficient catalysts must be developed for these applications. This paper aims to study the best combinations of these reactions depending on the feed composition of the reactor, coupled with the development of catalysts of nickel, yttrium and aluminum in order to minimize the carbon deposition, which is the main problem in these processes. The catalysts were prepared by the technique of co-precipitation of yttrium oxide and aluminum, which is impregnated nickel oxide. The catalysts were characterized by different techniques: EDX, BET method, XRD, TPR, XAS, and catalytic tests for methane reforming reactions: CO2, steam and oxidative. The results showed that it is possible to prepare nickel catalysts supported on mixed Y2O3-Al2O3, and they are active for the methane reactions.

A reforma do metano é um processo de grande interesse industrial para a produção de hidrogênio e de gás de síntese. Entre as reações de reforma do metano, destacam-se as reações de reforma a vapor e a reação com dióxido de carbono. O catalisador comumente utilizado nos processos e Ni/Al2O3. Porém, durante este processo, ocorre uma indesejada formação de depósitos carbonáceos na superfície do catalisador, os quais levam a sua destruição mecânica e, consequentemente, sua desativação. Por isso, uma das propriedades mais importantes de um bom catalisador para as reações de reforma do metano é a sua resistência a desativação. Entre as propostas para melhorar o desempenho do catalisador encontra-se a incorporação do óxido de cério junto ao suporte alumina. Catalisadores Ni/Al2O3 incorporados em soluções sólidas formadas por CeO2-ZrO2, ZrO2-La2O3 e CeO2-La2O3 foram preparados, caracterizados e submetidos a ensaios catalíticos nas reações de reforma a vapor e com dióxido de carbono e oxidação parcial do metano com objetivo de avaliar o efeito da adição da solução sólida ao suporte. Os suportes foram preparados pelo método da co-precipitação e os catalisadores foram obtidos pelo método de impregnação e calcinados a 500°C. Estes compostos foram caracterizados por Fisissorção de Nitrogênio, Difração de Raios X (DRX), Espectroscopia dispersiva de raios X (EDX), espectroscopia de na região do ultra violeta e do visível (UV-vis-NIR), Redução à Temperatura Programada (RTP), Espectrocopia RAMAN, Espectroscopia fotoeletrônica de Raios X (XPS), Espectroscopia de absorção de Raios X (XAS) e Análise termogravimétrica. Os ensaios catalíticos mostraram que a adição de solução sólida melhorou o desempenho do catalisador Ni/Al2O3 e, dentre todos os catalisadores avaliados, os melhores desempenhos obtidos foram com os catalisadores suportados em Ni/CeO2-La2O3-Al2O3. / Nowadays, the methane reforming is large interest industrial for the take advantage of these gas in production the hydrogen and synthesis gas (syngas). Among in the reactions of methane stand of the reactions steam reforming and carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The main catalysts uses in the methane reforming is Ni/Al2O3. However, the supported-nickel catalyst is susceptible to the deactivation or the destruction by coke deposition. The carbon dissolves in the nickel crystallite and its diffuses through the nickel, leading for formation of the carbon whiskers, which results in fragmentation of the catalyst. Modification of such catalysts, like incorporation of suitable promoters, is desirable to achieve reduction of the methane hydrogenolysis and/or promotion of the carbon gasification. Catalysts 5% Ni/Al2O3 supported on solid solutions formed by ZrO2-CeO2, La2O3 and CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3 were prepared, characterized and evalueted in reactions steam and carbon dioxide refoming and partial oxidation of methane with objetive the value effect loading solution solid in support. The supports were prepared by co-precipitation method and catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and calcined at 500°C. The supports and catalysts were characterized by Nitrogen Adsorption, method -rays diffraction (XRD), X-rays dispersive spectroscopy (XDS), spectroscopy in the region of the ultraviolet and the visible (UV-vis NIR) to and temperature programmed reduction (TPR), RAMAN Spectrocopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Termogravimetric Analysis. After all the catalytic reactions check which the addition of solid solution is beneficial for Ni/Al2O3 catalysts and the best catalysts are Ni/CeO2-La2O3-Al2O3.

The industrial sector is one of the largest emitters of CO2 and a great potential for retrofitting with carbon capture systems. In this work the performance of a palladium-based membrane reactor at 400°C and operating pressures between 100-400 kPa have been studied in terms of methane conversion, hydrogen recovery, hydrogen purity, and CO2 emission. It is found that the MR has the potential to produce high purity hydrogen while the methane conversion values could be as high as 40% at very moderate operating conditions and without using any sweep gases. The H2 permeation and separation properties of two Pd-based composite membranes were evaluated and compared at 400 °C and at a pressure range of 150 kPa to 600 kPa. One membrane was characterized by an approximately 8 μm-thick palladium (Pd)-gold (Au) layer deposited on an asymmetric microporous Al2O3 substrate; the other membrane consisted of an approximately 11 μm-thick pure palladium layer deposited on a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) support. At 400 °C and with a trans-membrane pressure of 50 kPa, the membranes showed a H2 permeance of 8.42 × 10−4 mol/m2·s·Pa0.5 and 2.54 × 10−5 mol/m2·s·Pa0.7 for Pd-Au and Pd membranes, respectively. Pd-Au membrane showed infinite ideal selectivity to H2 with respect to He and Ar at 400 °C and a trans-membrane pressure of 50 kPa, while the ideal selectivities for the Pd membrane under the same operating conditions were much lower. Furthermore, the permeation tests for ternary and quaternary mixtures of H2, CO, CO2, CH4, and H2O were conducted on the Pd/YSZ membrane. The H2 permeating flux decreased at the conclusion of the permeation tests for all mixtures. This decline however, was not permanent, i.e., H2 permeation was restored to its initial value after treating the membrane with H2 for a maximum of 7 h. The effects of gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) and the steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratio on H2 permeation were also investigated using simulated steam methane reforming mixtures. It was found that H2 permeation is highest at the greatest GHSV, due to a decline in the concentration polarization effect. Variations in S/C ratio however, showed no significant effect on the H2 permeation. The permeation characteristics for the Pd/YSZ membrane were also investigated at temperatures ranging from 350 to 400 °C. The pre-exponential factor and apparent activation energy were found to be 5.66 × 10−4 mol/m2·s·Pa0.7 and 12.8 kJ/mol, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed on both pristine and used membranes, and no strong evidence of the formation of Pd-O or any other undesirable phases was observed. The permeation tests with pure hydrogen and inert gases indicate that the MR is highly selective toward hydrogen and the produced hydrogen is an ultrahigh purity grade. The carbon capture experiments in the work consists of dehydrating the retentate stream and redirecting it to a 13X packed bed before analyzing the stream via mass spectrometry. The carbon capture studies reveal that approximately 5.96 mmole CO2 (or 262.25 mg of CO2)can be captured per g of 13X. In this study, SEM-EDS, and XRD technics have been used to characterize the crystallography and morphology of the membrane surface. These material characterization techniques reveal that the surface of the membrane has gone through significant oxidation during the steam methane reforming reaction, although this oxidation is only limited to the few nanometers of depth through the surface of the palladium membrane.

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A mathematical model of a steam-methane reformer (SMR) was developed for use in process performance simulations and on-line monitoring of tube-wall temperatures. The model calculates temperature profiles for the outer-tube wall, inner-tube wall, furnace gas and process gas. Reformer performance ratios and composition profiles are also computed. The model inputs are the reformer inlet-stream conditions, the geometry and material properties of the furnace and catalyst-bed. The model divides the furnace and process sides of the reformer into zones of uniform temperature and composition. Radiative-heat transfer on the furnace side is modeled using the Hottel Zone method. Energy and material balances are performed on the zones to produce non-linear algebraic equations, which are solved using the Newton-Raphson method with a numerical Jacobian. Model parameters were ranked from most-estimable to least estimable using a sensitivity-based estimability analysis tool, and model outputs were fitted to limited data from an industrial SMR. The process-gas outlet temperatures were matched within 4 ºC, the upper and lower peep-hole temperatures within 12 ºC and the furnace-gas outlet temperature within 4 ºC. The process-gas outlet pressure, composition and flow rate are also accurately matched by the model. The values of the parameter estimates are physically realistic. The model developed in this thesis has the capacity to be developed into more specialized versions. Some suggestions for more specialized models include modeling of separate classes of tubes that are in different radiative environments, and detailed modeling of burner configurations, furnace-gas flow patterns and combustion heat-release patterns. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-01-06 21:50:35.04

The use of carbon from fossil-based resources result in changes in the earth’s climate due to emissions of greenhouse gases. Biomass is the only renewable source of carbon that may be converted to transportation fuels and chemicals, markets now fully dominated by traditional oil supply. The biorefinery concept for upgrading and refinement of biomass feedstocks to value-added end-products has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and replace fossil products. Most biorefineries use biochemical conversion processes and may have by-product streams suitable as feedstocks for thermal conversion and production of syngas. Further synthesis to value-added products from the syngas could increase the product output from the biorefinery. The application of thermal conversion processes integrated into an existing biorefinery concept has been evaluated in this licentiate thesis work. Two by-product streams; hydrolysis (lignin) residue from an ethanol plant and biogas from wastewater treatment, have been investigated as gasification/reforming feedstocks. Also, the pre-treatment method torrefaction has been evaluated for improved gasification fuel characteristics and integration aspects. A new process and system concept (Bio2Fuels) with potential carbon negative benefits has been suggested and evaluated as an alternative route for syngas production by separating biomass into a hydrogen rich gas and a carbon rich char product. The evaluation demonstrated that hydrolysis residue proved a suitable feedstock for gasification with respect to syngas composition. Biogas can be further reformed to syngas by combined biomass gasification and methane reforming, with promising results on CH4 conversion rate and increased H2/CO ratio at temperatures ≥1000°C. The pre-treatment method torrefaction was demonstrated to improve fuel qualities and may thus significantly facilitate entrained flow gasification of biomass residue streams. Also, integration of a torrefaction plant at a biorefinery site could make use of excess heat for drying the raw material before torrefaction. The Bio2Fuels concept was evaluated and found feasible for further studies. The application of thermal conversion processes into an existing biorefinery, making use of by-products and biomass residues as feedstocks, has significant potential for energy integration, increased product output as well as for climate change mitigation.

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