The maximum theoretical energy efficiency of fuel cells is much larger than those of the steam-power-turbine cycles that are currently used for generating electrical power. Similarly, direct hydrocarbon fuel cells, DHFCs, can theoretically be much more efficient than hydrogen fuel cells. Unfortunately the current densities (overall reaction rates) of DHFCs are substantially smaller than those of hydrogen fuel cells. The problem is that the exchange current density (catalytic reaction rate) is orders of magnitude smaller for DHFCs. Other work at the University of Ottawa has been directed toward the development of polymer electrolytes for DHFCs that operate above the boiling point of water, making corrosion rates much slower so that precious metal catalysts are not required. Propane (liquefied petroleum gas, LPG) was the hydrocarbon chosen for this research partly because infrastructure for its transportation and storage in rural areas already exists. In this work nickel based catalysts, an inexpensive replacement for the platinum based catalysts used in conventional fuel cells, were examined using density functional theory, DFT. The heats of propane adsorption for 3d metals, when plotted as a function of the number of 3d electrons in the metal atom, had the shape of a volcano plot, with the value for nickel being the peak value of the volcano plot. Also the C-H bond of the central carbon atom was longer for propane adsorbed on nickel than when adsorbed on any of the other metals, suggesting that the species adsorbed on nickel was less likely to desorb than those on other metals. The selectivity of the propyl radical reaction was examined. It was found that propyl radicals

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-09-24T18:18:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Lucas Ezequias da Silva Silveira_.pdf: 2681603 bytes, checksum: bdf77c94ace5cc8dc7bd13716275dc35 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-24T18:18:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lucas Ezequias da Silva Silveira_.pdf: 2681603 bytes, checksum: bdf77c94ace5cc8dc7bd13716275dc35 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-11 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A utilização de trocadores de calor com canais de diâmetro reduzido vem crescendo devido à demanda por trocadores de calor compactos, que permitam altas taxas de transferência de calor, baixa perda de pressão e redução da carga de fluido refrigerante e de custo de materiais. O presente trabalho analisa a ebulição convectiva através de canais de pequeno diâmetro e a influência de alguns parâmetros operacionais no coeficiente de transferência de calor e na queda de pressão. São apresentados os resultados de três estudos experimentais para avaliar a influência do fluido de trabalho, do diâmetro do canal e da temperatura de saturação. Na primeira análise, é estudada a ebulição do isobutano, R600a, e do propano, R290, em um canal com 1,0 mm de diâmetro interno, com fluxo de massa na faixa de 240 a 480 kg m-2 s-1, fluxo de calor de 5 a 60 kW m-2 e temperatura de saturação de 25°C. Na segunda análise, é estudada a ebulição do R600a em canais com diâmetros de 1,0 e 2,6 mm, temperatura de saturação de 22°C, com variações do fluxo de massa de 188 a 377 kg m-2s-1 e do fluxo de calor de 28 a 56 kW m-2. Por fim, na terceira análise, a ebulição do R600a em um canal de 1,0 mm de diâmetro foi estudada com duas temperaturas de saturação, 20 e 30°C, com fluxo de massa de 240 a 480 kg m-2 s-1 e fluxo de calor de 20 a 60 kW m-2. São avaliados os efeitos do fluxo de massa, do fluxo de calor e do título de vapor, sobre o comportamento do coeficiente de transferência de calor e da perda de pressão por atrito. A análise do fluido de trabalho mostrou que, de modo geral, o R600a apresenta os maiores coeficientes de transferência de calor e perdas de pressão por atrito. Da análise da influência do diâmetro do canal observou-se que, para todas as condições experimentais, o coeficiente de transferência de calor foi superior no canal de 1,0 mm. Os resultados mostraram também que os maiores coeficientes de transferência de calor foram obtidos com a temperatura de saturação de 30°C. Complementando as análises, foram avaliados os padrões de escoamento, através das imagens registradas, e os modelos de mapas de padrões comparando os dois fluidos. Os modelos que melhor se ajustaram às curvas foram os de Revellin e Thome (2007b) e Ong e Thome (2011). Algumas correlações para transferência de calor propostas para mini e micro canais foram avaliadas com dados experimentais, de onde observou-se que, de modo geral, a correlação de Kim e Mudawar (2013b) apresentou o melhor ajuste, dentre as correlações avaliadas. / The use of heat exchangers with reduced diameter channels has been growing due to the demand for compact heat exchangers which allow high rates of heat transfer, low pressure drop and reduction of refrigerant fluid charge and material cost. The present work analyzes the convective boiling through small diameter channels and the influence of some parameters on the heat transfer coefficient and the pressure drop. The results of three experimental studies are presented to evaluate the influence of the working fluid, the channel diameter and the saturation temperature. In the first analysis, the boiling of isobutane, R600a, and propane, R290, in a channel with a 1 mm internal diameter, with mass velocity from 240 to 480 kg m-2 s-1, heat flux from 5 to 60 kW m-2 and saturation temperature of 25°C. In the second analysis, it’s studied the boiling of R600a in channels with diameters of 1.0 and 2.6 mm, saturation temperature of 22°C, with mass velocity from 188 to 377 kg m-2 s-1 and heat flux from 28 to 56 kW m-2. Finally, the boiling of R600a in a 1.0 mm diameter channel was studied with two saturation temperatures, 20 and 30°C, with a mass velocity from 240 to 480 kg m-2 s-1 and heat flux from 20 to 60 kW m-2. The influence of mass flow, heat flux and vapor quality on the behavior of the heat transfer coefficient and the frictional pressure drop are evaluated. The analysis of the working fluid showed that, in general, R600a presents the highest coefficients of heat transfer and frictional pressure drop. From the analysis of the influence of the channel diameter, it was observed that, for all experimental conditions, the heat transfer coefficient was higher in the 1.0 mm channel. The results also showed that the higher heat transfer coefficients were obtained with the saturation temperature of 30°C. Complementing the analyzes, the flow patterns were evaluated through the recorded images, and the flow pattern maps, comparing the two fluids. The map that best fit the curves were those of Revellin and Thome (2007b) and Ong and Thome (2011). Some proposed heat transfer correlations for mini and micro channels were evaluated with the experimental data, from which it was observed that, in general, the correlation of Kim and Mudawar (2013b) presented a better adjustment, among the evaluated correlations.

<p>In recent years, first principles periodic Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation</p><p>has been used to investigate heterogeneous catalytic reactions and examine catalyst</p><p>structures as well as adsorption properties in a variety of systems. The increasing</p><p>contribution to give detailed understanding of elementary reaction mechanism is critical to</p><p>provide fundamental insights into the catalyst design. It is a link to the fundamental</p><p>knowledge and a bridge to the practical application. DFT calculations is also a powerful</p><p>tool to predict and yield promising catalysts which is time- and cost-saving in the practical</p><p>end.</p><p>Because of the recent boom in natural shale gas deposit, there is an increasing interest</p><p>in developing more efficient ways to transform light alkanes into desired and high-value</p><p>chemicals, such as propylene. Propylene is a valuable raw material in the petrochemical</p><p>application to make value-added commodities, such as plastics, paints, and fibers, etc. The</p><p>conventional cracking, steam cracking (SC) and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), could not</p><p>meet the growing demand of propylene. Thus, it has motivated extensive research of</p><p>production technologies. On the other hand, the abundance of light alkanes extracted from</p><p>the shale gas makes on-purpose production an appealing method which is economically</p><p>competitive. Non-oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (PDH) is a one of ways to make</p><p>up the supply and solve the issue.</p><p>xiii</p><p>According to the current research and industrial work, platinum (Pt) shows promising</p><p>performance for the PDH. However, it suffered from some major drawbacks, such as</p><p>thermodynamic limitation, rapid deactivation leading to poor catalytic performance and</p><p>frequent regeneration. In addition, it is a relatively high cost noble metal. Consequently,</p><p>many efforts have been devoted to the enhancement of the catalytic performance. It was</p><p>found that the stability and the selectivity of Pt-based catalysts can be improved via</p><p>modifying its properties with transition metals as promoters.</p><p>In this thesis, DFT calculations were performed for propane dehydrogenation over</p><p>two different catalyst systems, bimetallic platinum-zinc alloy and monometallic platinum</p><p>catalysts. The work provides insights into the catalyst crystal structures, the adsorption</p><p>characteristics of diverse adsorbates as well as the energy profiles regarding to the</p><p>selectivity of the propane dehydrogenation. Bulk calculation signifies a stable tetragonal</p><p>configuration of the PtZn catalyst which is in accordance with the experimental result. The</p><p>thermodynamic stability regarding to the stability of bulk and surface alloys are studied</p><p>with the consideration of physical constrains. We have identified the thermodynamic</p><p>stability of several PtZn low-index surface facets, (101), (110), (001), (100) flat surfaces</p><p>and stepped surface (111), at certain chemical potential environmental conditions through</p><p>the surface energy phase diagram. Stoichiometric and symmetric (101) slab is</p><p>thermodynamically stable under the region of high Pt chemical potential, and the offstoichiometric</p><p>and symmetric (100 Zn-rich) slab under the low Pt chemical potential.</p><p>In this work, PtZn(101) is used as a model surface to demonstrate the effect on the</p><p>catalytic performance with zinc promotion of platinum. In comparison with Pt(111) surface,</p><p>an elimination of 3-fold Pt hollow site on PtZn(101) is of important and it leads to the</p><p>xiv</p><p>change of binding site preferences. The divalent groups (1-propenyl, 2-propenyl) change</p><p>from Pt top site on PtZn(101) to 3-fold site on Pt(111), which is because of the lack of Pt</p><p>3-fold site on alloyed surface. As for propylene, it changes from di-σ site on PtZn to 𝜋 site</p><p>on Pt. The surface reaction intermediates are found to bond more weakly on PtZn(101)</p><p>than on the Pt surface. Especially, the binding energy of propylene reduces from -1.09 to -</p><p>0.16 eV. The weaker binding strength facilitates the activity of propylene on alloyed</p><p>surfaces.</p><p>Through a complete and classic reaction network analysis, the introduction of Zn</p><p>shows an increase in the endothermicity and the energy barrier of each elementary reaction</p><p>on the alloy surface. With the consideration of entropy for kinetic under real experimental</p><p>condition, the alloying of Zn is found to lower the energy barrier for the propylene product</p><p>desorption and increases that for propylene dehydrogenation. Meanwhile, the competition</p><p>between desired C-H and undesired C-C cleavages is investigated. It is found that the</p><p>cleavage of C-H is energetically favorable than that of C-C. These positive factors</p><p>potentially lead to a high selectivity toward propylene production on PtZn(101).</p><p>Subsequently, Microkinetic modeling is performed to estimate kinetic parameters</p><p>including the reaction order, rate-determining step to build a possible reaction mechanism.</p><p>Finally, conclusions brought out about the comparison between bimetallic and</p><p>monometallic catalyst, and suggestions for future work are presented.</p>

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Na reação de desidrogenação oxidativa de propano (ODHP), propano reage com oxigênio da superfície de metais de transição para produzir propeno e água, em temperaturas de 300-700C. Porém, o propeno pode facilmente oxidar, formando CO e CO2. Assim, busca-se catalisadores que promovam a seletividade do propeno. Compostos tipo hidrotalcitas estão sendo apontados como catalisadores de grande potencial para a reação. Portanto, o principal objetivo desse trabalho foi sintetizar precursores tipo hidrotalcitas (contendo íons Ni2+, Mg2+ e Al3+ e tereftalato, heptamolibdato e decavanadato como ânions de compensação) para serem testados na reação de desidrogenação oxidativa de propano. Esses precursores foram sintetizados com uma razão Al/(Al+Ni+Mg)=0,5, variando a razão de Ni/Mg. Além disso, realizou-se a troca iônica do tereftalato (TA) por heptamolibdato (Mo7O24) e decavanadato (V10O28). Esses compostos foram calcinados, obtendo-se assim, óxidos mistos de NiMgAl, NiMgAlMo e NiMgAlV que foram testados como catalisadores na reação de ODHP. Para a determinação das propriedades dos catalisadores foram usadas as técnicas de caracterização: DRX, TGA, volumetria de N2, TPR, Raman e FTIR e ICP. Os resultados indicaram que os materiais tipo hidrotalcita foram obtidos com sucesso. No caso dos precursores preparados por troca iônica a cristalinidade foi menor que os da série NiMgAl-TA. Estes mesmos precursores quando calcinados apresentaram áreas muito altas. Nas três séries, os precursores calcinados são constituídos por óxidos mistos como NiO, NiMoO4, Ni2V2O7 cristalinos e espécies de alumínio e magnésio não detectados na DRX. No teste catalítico de ODHP, observou-se que com o aumento da conversão diminuía a seletividade de propeno, para os óxidos mistos que não continham molibdênio. Os catalisadores da série molibdênio foram os que obtiveram melhor desempenho com altas seletividades, mesmo em altas conversões e a série de cujo precursor foi o tereftalato foi a que exibiu maiores conversões, mas com seletividades menores que da série de Mo / In the reaction of oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP), propane reacts with oxygen in the transition metal surface to produce propylene and water at temperatures of 300-700 C. However, the propylene can easily oxidize, forming CO and CO2. Thus, catalysts that promote the selectivity of propylene are being searched. Hydrotalcites type compounds are identified as potential major catalysts for the reaction. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to synthesize precursors hydrotalcites type (containing Ni2+, Mg 2+ and Al 3+ ions and terephthalate, heptamolybdate and decavanadate as compensation anions) to test in the reaction of oxidative dehydrogenation of propane.These precursors were synthesized with Al/(Ni+Mg+Al) = 0.5 for different ratios of Ni/Mg. In addition, there was the ion exchange terephthalate (TA) by heptamolybdate (Mo7O24) and decavanadate (V10O28). These compounds were calcined, to obtain NiMgAl, NiMgAlMo and NiMgAlV mixed oxides and tested as catalysts in the ODHP reaction.For determining the properties of the catalysts the following characterization techniques were used: XRD, TGA, N2 volumetry, TPR, ICP, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated that the hydrotalcite-like materials were successfully obtained. In the case of the precursors prepared by ion exchange crystallinity was lower than those of NiMgAl-TA series. These same precursors when calcined had very high areas. In three series, the calcined precursors are comprised by mixed oxides such as crystalline NiO, NiMoO4, Ni2V2O7 and Al an Mg species not detected by XRD. In ODHP catalytic test, it was observed that with increasing conversion the propylene selectivity decreased to the mixed oxides containing no molybdenum. The catalysts of molybdenum series were those who performed better with high selectivity even at high conversions and the terephthalate precursor series shows the highest conversions, but with lower selectivity than Mo series

This work deals with the search for new molybdate-type catalyst formulations for the activation of light alkanes and their conversion to alkenes. In the first part, we showed that is possible to stabilize the beta-phase of NiMoO4 (as pure phase) by incorporating a certain amount of Co in its lattice. The sol-gel method was also applied to the synthesis of solid solutions of NiMoO4 and CoMoO4. The main difference between the bulk and silica-dispersed Ni-Co-Mo catalysts prepared by citrate or sol-gel methods as well as impregnation, is related to the fact that it is possible to stabilize the beta-Ni1-xCoxMoO4 phase throughout the whole composition range in the dispersed catalysts. Moreover, the catalytic data emphasize the advantage of using mixed Ni-Co molybdates in comparison with simple Ni or Co molybdates and also the fact that a higher activity is reached when these active phases are dispersed in a silica matrix. In the second part, we reported on the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of solid solutions of Ni and Co molybdates dispersed on different supports such as Al2O3, MgO, TiO2, ZrO2 and Al2O3-MgO. These experiments demonstrate that supporting or dispersing the mixed Ni1-xCoxMoO4 phase on any kind of support leads to the preferential stabilization of the beta-phase. It was also shown that catalysts characterized by intermediate acid-base properties give better catalytic performances than those with high acidity or high basicity. Bi and/or Ln- (La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Tb) modified Ni, Co and mixed Ni-Co molybdates were prepared, characterized and investigated from the point of view of their catalytic behaviour. The incorporation of a lanthanide in Ni and/or Co molybdate stabilizes the b-phase for citrate-prepared catalysts. Concerning the catalytic activity of these solids, a strong enhancement of the catalytic activity and the selectivity towards propene is observed when solid solutions of beta-NiMoO4 and beta-CoMoO4 are modified by a lanthanide, except in the case of Sm. The Tb-modified catalyst is the one displaying the highest propene productivity, but the most selective catalysts are those modified by La or Pr. Incorporation of Ce strongly improves the catalytic activity, more than propene selectivity. The presence of Bi in the formulation of the catalyst results in a lower propene selectivity.

The maximum theoretical energy efficiency of fuel cells is much larger than those of the steam-power-turbine cycles that are currently used for generating electrical power. Similarly, direct hydrocarbon fuel cells, DHFCs, can theoretically be much more efficient than hydrogen fuel cells. Unfortunately the current densities (overall reaction rates) of DHFCs are substantially smaller than those of hydrogen fuel cells. The problem is that the exchange current density (catalytic reaction rate) is orders of magnitude smaller for DHFCs. Other work at the University of Ottawa has been directed toward the development of polymer electrolytes for DHFCs that operate above the boiling point of water, making corrosion rates much slower so that precious metal catalysts are not required. Propane (liquefied petroleum gas, LPG) was the hydrocarbon chosen for this research partly because infrastructure for its transportation and storage in rural areas already exists. In this work nickel based catalysts, an inexpensive replacement for the platinum based catalysts used in conventional fuel cells, were examined using density functional theory, DFT. The heats of propane adsorption for 3d metals, when plotted as a function of the number of 3d electrons in the metal atom, had the shape of a volcano plot, with the value for nickel being the peak value of the volcano plot. Also the C-H bond of the central carbon atom was longer for propane adsorbed on nickel than when adsorbed on any of the other metals, suggesting that the species adsorbed on nickel was less likely to desorb than those on other metals. The selectivity of the propyl radical reaction was examined. It was found that propyl radicals

De nombreuses études sont menées pour la compréhension et l'utilisation de plasmas hors équilibre pour les procédés industriels capables d'améliorer la combustion, de stabiliser des flammes et de réduire les polluants. En effet, dans le cadre des nouvelles normes européennes, il devient indispensable de pouvoir maîtriser la qualité de la combustion et de réduire ainsi les émissions polluantes. Même si le principe de l'allumage classique par étincelle est depuis longtemps connu et utilisé dans l'industrie automobile, ce système présente néanmoins quelques limites. En effet, le caractère localisé de l'étincelle créée réduit la probabilité de rencontre entre l'étincelle et une zone de mélange inflammable ce qui conduit à des ratés d'allumages et spécialement en mélanges pauvres. Ainsi, l'utilisation de systèmes différents reposant sur des plasmas non-thermiques fournit des avantages significatifs, dont les propriétés de forte réactivité chimique et de faible coût énergétique. L'objet principal de ce travail de thèse est l'étude de l'allumage de mélanges combustibles par un certain type de décharges pulsées nanosecondes. En effet, un des intérêts du déclenchement de combustion par décharges nanosecondes est le développement d'une zone spatiale d'allumage nettement plus étendue que celle obtenue par l'étincelle de la bougie standard. Enfin, un autre avantage des décharges nanosecondes est la création de nombreux radicaux dans le milieu combustible nécessaires à l'initiation directe des cinétiques de combustion en limitant la contribution thermique, souvent impliquées dans les pertes de rendement des allumeurs. Dans notre étude, la décharge nanoseconde pulsée utilisée est caractérisée par l'application d'une surtension très élevée donnant un pulse de tension très court (12 ns), d'amplitude très élevée (50 kV) et un front de montée très raide (2 ns). Au cours de cette étude, nous avons d'abord caractérisé la décharge nanoseconde pulsée dans des mélanges air/propane et air/heptane à pression atmosphérique. Ensuite, nous avons appliqué la décharge au déclenchement de combustion dans les mélanges air/propane et air/heptane dans les proportions stœchiométriques mais aussi en mélanges pauvres et ce toujours à pression atmosphérique, ce qui a montré la réduction des délais de combustion. De plus, les résultats en mélanges stœchiométriques montrent qu'il existe trois modes d'allumage : un ponctuel, un double et un mode cylindrique et ce en fonction de la densité d'énergie.

La transformation des alcanes en alcènes présente un grand intérêt. Elle permet de transformer des hydrocarbures satures, gaz naturels bon marche, abondants et presque inutilisables en synthèse organique, en alcènes, produits de base de nombreuses fabrications. La formation du propène à partir du propane par déshydrogénation oxydante est la première étape de la synthèse de l'acide acrylique, produit utilise principalement dans l'industrie textile. La réaction d'oxydation du propane sur catalyseur de molybdate de nickel s'avère particulièrement intéressante. En effet, les produits de réaction contiennent non seulement du propène mais aussi de l'acroléine et de l'acide acrylique obtenus directement à partir du propane. De façon à améliorer les performances de ce catalyseur, nous avons tente de comprendre comment se passe la réaction. Une étude cinétique de la réaction de transformation du propane en propène sur molybdate de nickel de composition atomique Ni/Mo voisine de 1 (0,98) a été conduite. Pour modéliser la réaction, nous avons proposé un mécanisme réactionnel en six étapes et l'étude cinétique a permis de préciser que l'étape limitante pouvait être soit l'étape d'adsorption du propane, soit l'étape d'oxydation du propane à la surface du catalyseur. Afin de déterminer l'influence du mode de préparation sur les propriétés catalytiques, nous avons préparé plusieurs catalyseurs de rapport atomique variable et nous les avons caractérises notamment par mesures de conductivité électrique. Nous avons mis en évidence la relation entre les bons résultats catalytiques et la conductivité par électrons des produits riches en molybdène, ce qui permet de penser que la réaction d'oxydation du propane en propène est initiée par la réduction d'atomes de molybdène en position interstitielle dans le solide. Ceci faciliterait soit la fixation des gaz sur le solide, soit la réaction avec l'oxygène superficiel du molybdate de nickel

The goal of this project was to develop a mixed matrix membrane with enhanced properties for propylene/propane separations. To start with the project, one of the high performance 6FDA based polyimides was identified as the polymer matrix for the rest of the project. The chosen polymer (6FDA-6FpDA) was successfully synthesized in the laboratory. During the synthesis process the key objectives for high molecular weight and low polydispersity index polymer were identified. High molecular weight 6FDA-6FpDA was achieved via laboratory synthesis and was tested successfully. After successful synthesis of the high performance polymer, pure polymer dense films were tested for transport properties. One problem identified with 6FDA-6FpDA polymer films for propylene/propane separations was plasticization. A major objective of this research was to develop a method for plasticization suppression. A carefully controlled annealing procedure with high temperature permeation experiments was used in this research to suppress plasticization in a mixed gas environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is for the first time plasticization suppression was achieved with pure polymeric membrane material for propylene/propane separations with pure and mixed gases. The observed mixed gas experimental selectivity was lower than the pure gas selectivity which was explained by the combination effect of dual mode and bulk flow effect. The last objective of this project was to successfully incorporate molecular sieve materials to form a mixed matrix membrane hybrid material with enhanced transport properties First, an ideal molecular sieve for propylene/propane separation was identified and characterized. AlPO-14 was chosen for this research following its success with propylene/propane pressure swing adsorption. Mixed matrix membranes were successfully produced and tested for enhanced transport properties. Both pure and mixed gas results showed promising results with enhanced propylene permeability and propylene/propane selectivity. The experimental results were modeled with the Cussler and Maxwell models. A modified Cussler model was presented in this work. This is the first time an enhancement in the transport properties with mixed matrix membrane for propylene/propane separations has been observed. This fundamental dense film work holds a bright future for the scale up of propylene/propane separations.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1962. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-135).