Thesis (Ph.D.(Chemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes summary. Also available online.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-03-23T19:48:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JOCIELYS JOVELINO RODRIGUES - TESE PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 2539318 bytes, checksum: 88878182929175962ca411ac34f42556 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-23T19:48:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOCIELYS JOVELINO RODRIGUES - TESE PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 2539318 bytes, checksum: 88878182929175962ca411ac34f42556 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Capes / Este trabalho teve como objetivo, desenvolver peneiras moleculares utilizando fontes de sílica convencional (TEOS) e alternativa (cinza da casca de arroz), utilizá-las como suportes para catalisadores de Cobalto destinados à síntese de FischerTropsch, e também, investigar o efeito da introdução de rutênio como promotor na reação acima mencionada. Preparou-se a SBA-15 a partir de um gel com composição molar: 1.0 FONTE DE SÍLICA: 0.017 P123: 5.7 HCl: 193 H2O. Os catalisadores foram preparados pelo processo de impregnação úmida utilizando solução de 0,1 M de (Co(NO3)2.6H2O). Na sequência, foi incorporado o promotor rutênio usando solução aquosa de 0,1M de Cloreto de Rutênio (RuCl3xH2O). As amostras foram caracterizadas por DRX, EDX, TG/ATD, MEV, MET, RTP e adsorção física de N2. A reação de Fischer-Tropsch foi conduzida em reator leito de lama durante 6 horas de reação a 240oC e pressão de 20 bar, utilizando uma relação molar H2/CO = 1. A obtenção da SBA-15 utilizando fontes de sílica convencional e alternativa pôde ser confirmada pelos difratogramas, com destaque para a SBA-15 obtida com a fonte alternativa cinzas da casca de arroz, resíduo agrícola produzido em longa escala e que praticamente não tem aplicação comercial. Os difratogramas dos catalisadores na faixa angular de 0-8º mostraram que após a impregnação dos metais e calcinação, não ocorreram modificações na estrutura hexagonal dos materiais mesoporosos, observando-se os picos principais da fase do SBA-15. As análises de adsorção física de N2 das peneiras moleculares SBA-15 (CCA) e SBA15 (TEOS), mostram isotermas com perfil do tipo IV e histerese H1, características de materiais mesoporosos. As análises térmicas das peneiras moleculares SBA-15 (TEOS) e SBA-15 (CCA) indicaram a eliminação do direcionador (Pluronic) no processo de calcinação. As áreas superficiais específicas dos catalisadores diminuem e o volume de poro varia, devido ao bloqueio parcial dos poros pelo cobalto e pelo promotor rutênio, mas a estrutura da peneira molecular SBA-15 não é alterada. Os perfis de RTP dos catalisadores das séries Co/SBA-15 e Ru/Co/SBA-15 permitiram verificar a presença de picos distintos que pode ser causado pela redução dos óxidos de cobalto. A MET mostrou espécies de cobalto na forma esférica com tamanho de 20 nm, e após a co-impregnação com rutênio, houve uma melhor dispersão dessas espécies de cobalto resultando em partículas menores com tamanho médio de 10 nm. Os resultados obtidos a partir da síntese de FischerTropsch pelos catalisadores, apresentaram altas seletividades a hidrocarbonetos C5+ de alto valor agregado, bem como, verificou-se que a co-impregnação do promotor rutênio no catalisador Co/SBA-15, favoreceu o aumento da seletividade para hidrocarbonetos C5+ e diminuiu a seletividade para metano, com destaque para o desempenho do catalisador 20%Co/0,5%Ru/SBA-15 preparado com as cinzas da casca de arroz. / The aim of this work was to prepare the mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15 using conventional silica sources (TEOS) and alternative (Ash rice husk) and uses them as support for cobalt catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch process. And investigate the introduction of ruthenium as a promoter. It was prepared SBA- 15 from a gel of molar composition : 1.0 silica source : 0.017 P123 : 5.7 HCl : 193 H2O. The catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation process using 0.1 M solution (Co(NO3)2.6H2O) (Vetec). Following ruthenium promoter was incorporated using 0.1 M aqueous solution of ruthenium chloride (RuCl3xH2O). The samples were characterized by XRD, EDX , TG/DTA, SEM, TEM, TPR and adsorption of N2. The Fischer-Tropsch reaction is conducted at 240 °C , pressure of 20 bar using a molar ratio H2/CO = 1, on a slurry reactor for a reaction time of 8 h. Obtaining the SBA -15 silica using conventional sources and alternative could be confirmed by X ray diffraction , with emphasis on the SBA -15 obtained with the alternative source of rice husk ash , a residue of agriculture abundant and cheap that is usually discarded. The XRD patterns of the catalysts in the angular range 0-8º showed that after impregnation and calcination of the metal changes did not occur in the hexagonal structure of mesoporous materials , observing the main peaks of the phase of SBA -15. The physical adsorption of N2 analysis of SBA -15 molecular sieves (CCA) and SBA -15 (TEOS) show with type IV isotherm profile and H1 hysteresis characteristics of mesoporous material. The thermal analysis of SBA -15 molecular sieves (TEOS) and SBA -15 (CCA) indicated the elimination of the template (Pluronic) in the calcination process. The specific surface areas of the catalysts decreases , and the pore volume changes due to partial blockage of the pores by cobalt and ruthenium promoter, but the structure of SBA -15 molecular sieve is not changed. TPR profiles of the catalysts of the series Co /SBA- 15 and Ru /Co /SBA -15 evidenced the presence of distinctive peaks that can be caused by the reduction of cobalt oxides. TEM showed cobalt species on spherical 20 nm in size, and after co- impregnation with ruthenium was a better dispersion of these cobalt species resulting in particles with average size smaller than 10 nm. The results obtained from the Fischer- Tropsch the catalysts showed high selectivity to hydrocarbons C5+ of high value, and it was found that co- impregnation of the ruthenium promoter in the Co catalyst /SBA -15 promoted the increase of selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbons and decreased the selectivity to methane, highlighting the performance of the catalyst 20 % Co/0.5 % Ru/SBA-15 prepared with the ashes of the rice husk .

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2018-03-20T16:46:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MarieleIaraSoaresDeMello_TESE.pdf: 16812894 bytes, checksum: 6e77a9036a1ea3feab8abf3d2004dd63 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-03-22T11:29:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MarieleIaraSoaresDeMello_TESE.pdf: 16812894 bytes, checksum: 6e77a9036a1ea3feab8abf3d2004dd63 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-22T11:29:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MarieleIaraSoaresDeMello_TESE.pdf: 16812894 bytes, checksum: 6e77a9036a1ea3feab8abf3d2004dd63 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-10 / Estudos de catalisadores utilizados em rea??es para a produ??o de combust?veis alternativos, como a S?ntese de Fischer-Tropsch (SFT) e a S?ntese do Metanol via Hidrogena??o de CO2 foram realizados. O efeito da natureza qu?mica do ?xido do suporte sobre o desempenho de catalisadores de cobalto para a rea??o de Fischer-Tropsch foi investigado e uma s?rie de suportes foram sintetizados por meio de uma cobertura em monocamada da ?-Al2O3 com v?rios ?xidos representativos de uma ampla gama de car?ter ?cido-b?sico de Lewis, os quais foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de UV-Vis acoplado com adsor??o de alizarina. Foi poss?vel preparar catalisadores modelos com tamanho de part?culas de Co e porosidades semelhantes, possibilitando o estudo do efeito do suporte, sem sobreposi??o de fatores de difus?o ou tamanho de part?cula. A seletividade de hidrocarbonetos C13+ mostrou depend?ncia do tipo Volcano, com um m?ximo em um car?ter ?cido-base intermedi?rio. A localiza??o das nanopart?culas (NPs) das fases ativas no interior dos canais mesoporosos e o efeito de promo??o do ZrO2 nas propriedades e no desempenho catal?tico dos catalisadores na S?ntese de Metanol via Hidrogena??o de CO2 foi estudado. Tr?s m?todos de co-precipita??o foram empregados para estudar a inser??o das NPs no interior dos mesoporos do suporte. Os m?todos utilizados, ao contr?rio do m?todo de impregna??o a volume de poro convencional, se mostraram como uma forma simples e eficaz de localizar as nanopart?culas de Cu e dos promotores ZnO e ZrO2 nos mesoporos do suporte SBA-15, bem como um efeito positivo nos catalisadores com a incorpora??o do promotor ZrO2. De forma geral, a incorpora??o de ZrO2 mostrou-se eficaz na melhoria da dispers?o e localiza??o das nanopart?culas de Cu e, portanto, maior grau de intera??o do Cu0 com os promotores ZnO e ZrO2. Efeitos de localiza??o e de promo??o do ZrO2 contribuem para a produ??o de catalisadores mais ativos e seletivos para esta rea??o. / Several studies of catalysts used in reactions for the production of energy fuels, such as Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) and Methanol Synthesis from CO2 were done. The chemical nature effect of the oxide support on the performance of Cobalt Fischer?Tropsch catalysts was investigated. A series of supports were synthesized via monolayer coverage of porous ?-Al2O3 with various representative oxides from a wide range of Lewis acid?base character, which were characterized by UV?VIS spectroscopy coupled to alizarin adsorption. It was possible to obtain model catalysts with Co particle size and porosity alike, allowing to study the effect of the support without overlapping diffusion factors or particle size. C13+ hydrocarbon selectivity showed volcano-type dependence, with a maximum of intermediate acid-base character. The the nanoparticles of Cu/ZnO/ZnO2 confinement and the promoter effect on the properties and ZrO2 was studied in the context of the catalysts performance in Methanol synthesis via Hydrogenation of CO2. Three co-precipitation methods were chosen to study the nanoparticles confinement in the mesopores. The methods used, unlike the conventional pore volume impregnation method, showed a simple and effective way to confine the Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 NPs in the mesopores of the supporting SBA-15, as well as a positive effect in catalytic converters with the ZrO2 promoter incorporation. In general, the ZrO2 incorporation was effective in improving the dispersion and confinement of Cu NPs and, therefore, a greater Cu0 interaction with ZnO and ZrO2 promoters. Effects of confinement and promotion contributed to the production of more active and selective catalysts for this reaction.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A reaÃÃo de sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch tem merecido grande atenÃÃo pela sua aplicaÃÃo no Ãmbito tecnolÃgico e cientÃfico. Este interesse està associado à conversÃo do gÃs natural em produtos lÃquidos de alta qualidade (gasolina e diesel) e elevado valor agregado. No presente trabalho à descrito a metodologia empregada na sÃntese e caracterizaÃÃo de catalisadores bimetÃlicos, com alto teor da fase ativa de ferro e cobalto, usados na sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch, suportados em sÃlica promovidos com potÃssio e cobre com diferentes proporÃÃes em base molar. O uso de catalisadores de ferro utilizados na sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch tem sido estudado por muitos pesquisadores, os resultados tÃm mostrado que estes possuem um desempenho satisfatÃrio na produÃÃo de combustÃveis lÃquidos. Entretanto, pesquisas mostram que os catalisadores de cobalto sÃo mais eficientes na produÃÃo de hidrocarbonetos de cadeia longa e linear em relaÃÃo ao ferro. Contudo, catalisadores a base de cobalto sÃo mais caros comparados aos de ferro. Uma relaÃÃo custo/benefÃcio tem que ser atingida na fabricaÃÃo de catalisadores de tal forma que tenhamos uma otimizaÃÃo da produÃÃo de combustÃveis sintÃticos de elevado peso molecular sem muitos gastos com o catalisador. Pretende-se com esta discussÃo, identificar possÃveis vias para o desenvolvimento de catalisadores mais ativos e seletivos, variando a composiÃÃo do promotor estrutural para fins de otimizar a distribuiÃÃo dos produtos (diesel e graxa). A reaÃÃo foi conduzida em um reator de leito de lama. O estudo seguiu um planejamento experimental do tipo fatorial quadrado com ponto central e os resultados foram analisados baseados na metodologia de anÃlises de superfÃcies de respostas. Os efeitos das diferentes condiÃÃes operacionais (temperatura e pressÃo) e dos diferentes teores de potÃssio e cobre na distribuiÃÃo dos produtos lÃquidos foram comparados baseados nos cromatogramas, nÃmero mÃdio de carbono (Nn). Diante dos testes realizados com os catalisadores bimetÃlicos (Fe/Co) dopados com diferentes teores de potÃssio e/ou cobre, chegou-se a uma melhor relaÃÃo entre os metais (K,Cu) para sÃntese de um catalisador mais eficiente (50Fe/50Co/12K/5Cu/139SiO2). Sendo que o objetivo desta formulaÃÃo bimetÃlica, obter vantagens de possÃveis efeitos sinergÃticos entre os dois metais (Fe/Co) e seus promotores estruturais. / The reaction of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has received great attention for its application in technology and science. This interest is associated with conversion of natural gas into high quality liquid products (gasoline and diesel) and high added value. In the present paper describes the methodology employed in the synthesis and characterization of bimetallic catalysts with high levels of the active phase of iron and cobalt, used in the synthesis of Fischer-Tropsch, supported on silica promoted with potassium and copper with different ratios on a molar basis. The use of iron catalysts used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has been studied by many researchers, the results have shown that these have a satisfactory performance in the production of liquid fuels. However, studies have shown that cobalt catalysts are most effective in producing long-chain hydrocarbons and linear with respect to iron. However, the cobalt-based catalysts are more expensive compared to iron. A cost / benefit ratio has to be reached in the manufacture of catalysts which have such an optimization of production of synthetic fuels of high molecular weight inexpensively with the catalyst. The intention with this discussion, identify possible pathways for the development of more active and selective catalysts, varying the composition of the promoter structure for purposes of optimizing the distribution of products (diesel and grease). The reaction was conducted in a reactor bed of mud. The study followed an experimental planning factorial central square and the results were analyzed based on the methodology of the analysis of response surfaces. The effects of different operating conditions (temperature and pressure) and different concentrations of potassium and copper in the distribution of liquid based on the chromatograms were compared, average carbon number (Nn). Before the tests with the bimetallic catalysts (Fe / Co) doped with different concentrations of potassium and / or copper, it was a better relationship between the metals (K, Cu) for the synthesis of a more efficient catalyst (50Fe/50Co/12K/5Cu/139SiO2). Since the goal of this formulation bimetallic take advantage of possible synergistic effects between the two metals (Fe / Co) and its structural promoters.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A reaÃÃo de sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch tem merecido grande atenÃÃo pelo seu interesse tecnolÃgico e cientÃfico. Este interesse està associado a conversÃo do gÃs natural em produtos lÃquidos de alta qualidade (gasolina e diesel) e elevado valor agregado. No presente trabalho à descrito a metodologia empregada na sÃntese e caracterizaÃÃo de catalisadores de ferro usados na sÃntese de Fischer-Tropsch, com Ãnfase nos catalisadores suportados em sÃlica e catalisadores industriais (utilizados na sÃntese de amÃnia) promovidos com potÃssio e cobre. Pretende-se com esta discussÃo, identificar possÃveis vias para o desenvolvimento de catalisadores mais ativos e seletivos, variando a composiÃÃo do promotor estrutural para fins de otimizar a distribuiÃÃo dos produtos em fraÃÃes de hidrocarbonetos especÃficos (gasolina, diesel e graxa). A reaÃÃo foi conduzida em um reator de leito de lama. O estudo seguiu um planejamento experimental do tipo fatorial quadrado com ponto central e os resultados foram analisados baseados na metodologia dos grÃficos de superfÃcie de respostas. Os efeitos das diferentes condiÃÃes operacionais (temperatura e pressÃo) e dos diferentes teores de potÃssio na distribuiÃÃo dos produtos lÃquidos foram comparados baseados nos cromatogramas, nÃmero mÃdio de carbono (Nn) e no grau de dispersÃo dos produtos. Para todos os catalisadores de ferro empregados neste trabalho, observou-se um aumento no Ãndice que representa o comprimento da cadeia de hidrocarboneto (Nn) com o aumento do teor de potÃssio. Indicando um maior grau de polimerizaÃÃo para os catalisadores de ferro suportados com 18K em ralaÃÃo aos outros (12K, 6K e industrial). Os resultados mostram que, para catalisadores suportados, em pressÃes elevadas (25 e 30atm) favorecem a produÃÃo de graxa, enquanto a seletividade para hidrocarbonetos lÃquidos à favorecida a baixa pressÃo (20atm) e baixa temperatura (240ÂC). Para os catalisadores industriais, observou-se um aumento na fraÃÃo graxa em baixas temperaturas (240-255ÂC) e elevadas pressÃes (30atm). Contudo, os resultados de todas as corridas para o catalisador suportado e o industrial promovido e nÃo-promovido apresentaram quantidades significativas de n-parafinas com no mÃximo 35 Ãtomos de carbono que pode ser causados atravÃs das limitaÃÃes geomÃtricas e espaciais dentro dos poros do catalisador que tambÃm podem explicar o motivo pelo qual o Ãndice de dispersÃo da distribuiÃÃo de hidrocarbonetos serem mais baixos para um maior nÃmero de carbonos mÃdio. / The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has been focus of attention of the scientific and industrial community. This interest is related to the conversion of natural gas into high quality liquid products, such as gasoline and diesel, which have high commercial value. In this work the methodology applied to synthesize and characterize iron-based catalyst used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was described. Emphasis was given to catalysts supported in silica and to industrial catalysts (used in the synthesis of ammonia) impregnated with potassium and copper. The catalysts were tested to identify more active and selective catalysts, changing the amount of structural promoter in order to optimize the product distribution of specific hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel, wax). The reaction was carried out in a slurry phase reactor. The experiments followed a 22 factorial experimental planning with central point and the results were analyzed based on the surface response methodology. The effects of the operating conditions (temperature and pressure) and of the amount of potassium in the catalyst on the liquid product distribution were compared based on the chromatographs, number average number of carbons (Nn) and distribution dispersion. In all iron based catalyst used in the research, the number average number of carbons (Nn) increased with increasing amount of potassium in the catalyst formulation. This result indicates that the catalyst with 18 K supported in silica showed the highest degree of polymerization in comparison with all other catalysts produced in this research. The results showed that for the catalyst supported in silica high pressures (25 to 30 atm) favor the production of wax, while higher selectivity towards liquid fuels was favored by low pressure (20 atm) and low temperature (240ÂC). For the industrial catalyst, an increase in the wax cat was observed at low temperatures (240-255ÂC) and high pressures (30 atm). The experiments carried out with the both catalysts (silica-supported and alumina-supported) have presented significant amounts of n-paraffins with a maximum of 35 carbons and low dispersion of the product distribution which can be caused by space limitations within the catalyst pores.

In the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, CO and H2 (synthesis gas) are converted into hydrocarbons that can be further upgraded to high-quality fuels and chemicals. Different carbon sources such as natural gas, coal and biomass can be used as feed-stocks for the synthesis gas. In commercial applications, supported cobalt catalysts are commonly used in the FT synthesis, especially when the synthesis gas emanates from natural gas and when the desired final product is diesel. The activity and selectivity of a cobalt catalyst is dependent on several parameters, one of them being the support. The present thesis is focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of alumina and silica materials (with and without Ce and Zr promoters) with non-conventional morphology, and evaluation of their feasibility as cobalt supports in the FT synthesis. Ce- and Zr-alumina nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation in water-in-oil microemulsion. The obtained product is amorphous alumina with highly dispersed promoters, resulting in strong cobalt-support interactions and low cobalt reducibility. By increasing the calcination temperature of the Ce-promoted support, crystalline CeO2 is obtained which apparently increases the cobalt reducibility and thereby the catalytic activity (per gram catalyst). The small pore size of the materials may induce diffusion limitations on the reactants arrival and/or result in very small cobalt particles, which favour methane over long-chain hydrocarbons.  Successful preparations of pore expanded mesoporous silicas with 1D, 2D and 3D pore structures via the atrane route, combined with the addition of swelling agents, have been demonstrated. The advantage of this method is that pore expansion can be achieved at mild conditions and there is no need for a post-synthesis process using an autoclave system. In larger silica support pores, larger cobalt particles will be formed and the weaker the cobalt-support interactions will be. This generally results in a higher cobalt reducibility for larger-pore supports and thereby a higher catalytic activity. / <p>QC 20171004</p>

La presente tesis doctoral emplea herramientas de síntesis y caracterización de catalizadores metálicos nanoparticulados modelo, con el objetivo de elucidar la influencia de varias características estructurales y físico-químicas relevantes y sentar las bases para el diseño de nuevas generaciones de catalizadores avanzados para las rutas catalíticas de conversión de gas de síntesis. Por un lado, el diseño y la síntesis de catalizadores de Co monodispersos, empleando coloides metálicos y soportes nanométricos, en combinación con espectroscopias in situ y operando, ha permitido relacionar la sensibilidad a la estructura no clásica de la síntesis de Fischer-Tropsch (SFT) con modificaciones morfológicas y electrónicas de las nanopartículas de Co durante la catálisis, en función del tamaño de nanopartícula. Por otro lado, este trabajo esclarece la influencia de la historia térmica de los catalizadores de Co, desde los tratamientos más tempranos, en la topología metálica superficial del catalizador activado final y sus consecuencias en la actividad catalítica intrínseca. Adicionalmente, en base al conocimiento adquirido, se ha optimizado la estructura porosa de los catalizadores de Co para la SFT mediante un diseño racional de los soportes catalíticos. De este modo, se ha demostrado que estructuras porosas bimodales macro-mesoporosas así como soportes mesoestructurados con poros uniformes y de longitud reducida dan lugar a catalizadores de actividad mejorada y elevada selectividad a destilados medios. Finalmente, el empleo de soportes sintetizados mediante técnicas de deposición de óxidos capa-por-capa ha permitido sintetizar una serie de catalizadores de Rh promovidos y estudiar su comportamiento en la síntesis selectiva de compuestos oxigenados. Esta tesis presenta, por primera vez, una interpretación general para el papel de los promotores en este sistema. / Prieto González, G. (2010). Requerimientos físico-químicos y estructurales en catalizadores avanzados para la conversión de gas de síntesis [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/7026 / Palancia

Biomass to Liquids via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (BTL-FT) is regarded as one of the most promising routes for providing alternative solution to growing demand for energy and environmental protection. In Chapter I, the development and key issues of BTL-FT process (especially Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) were reviewed and identified. In Chapter II, Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst was synthesized using Incipient Wetness Impregnation method and tested in nitrogen rich model bio-syngas. Different operation parameters (temperature, pressure, and GHSV) were tested to investigate their influence on the catalytic performance. Those parameters were found to affect the performance significantly. Liquid samples from conversion were mainly composed of C8 to C10 range hydrocarbons. The catalyst characterization revealed that molybdenum species were well distributed on the catalyst support, while dealumination, agglomeration and coke deposition were observed in spent catalyst. The top layer of the spent catalyst had the most coke deposition. A Three-Dimensionally Ordered Macro-porous (3DOM) Fe based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst was developed using a facile in-situ Nitrate Oxidation-PMMA templating technique in Chapter III. Several techniques (including SEM, BET, TPR, HRTEM, XRD, XPS, and DRIFTS) were combined to characterize the morphology, textural properties and microstructures of 3DOM Fe catalysts at different stages. The effects of bio-syngas composition on carbonaceous species formation, iron phase transformation and catalytic performance were investigated and correlated. A novel hybrid bio-refinery process co-converting biomass and natural gas into liquid fuels via FTS with a CO2 recycle loop was developed, modeled and simulated by using Aspen Plus in Chapter IV. The Aspen Plus model utilized experimental data from the 3DOM Fe catalyst. Economic analysis was performed on different scenarios based on the simulation results to determine profitability of the process. Results indicated that 102.65 t/h gasoline and 22.93 t/h diesel can be produced with the co-processing of 100.00 t/h biomass and 112.3 t/h natural gas using 307.78 t/h of recycled CO2 in the process simulation. The carbon conversion rate was estimated to be 81.23% for the hybrid process. Economic analysis revealed that the process can be profitable when using at least 10.00 t/h biomass and 11.23 t/h natural gas.

No description available.

Growing prices, limited supply, and public concern about greenhouse gases associated with crude-derived jet fuels have led to development of renewable alternatives which must be compatible with the worldwide civilian and military aviation infrastructure, which were designed for operation with Jet-A/JP-8. Any alternative fuel should not have negative effects on the aircraft engines and fuel systems, especially from a thermal stability perspective, since any adverse effect of the physical properties, and chemical composition, including existence of trace elements, of those fuels may only be revealed after extensive operation, resulting in higher life-cycle maintenance and operation costs. This study considered four types of alternative fuels: two derived by Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, and two types of Hydro-processing Esters and Fatty acids (HEFA). For each of these types, both raw and 50:50 blends in volume with Jet-A samples have been prepared, thus resulting in eight different fuel blends. Fit-for-purpose ability of these alternative fuels is first investigated by studying the effects of the fuel properties and composition effects on elastomer materials, and micro-turbine performance. When elastomer o-rings, similar to those used in aircraft fuel systems were immersed in renewable fuels, smaller volume change or swelling was detected (lower than 2%), contrary to a 14% swelling observed for baseline Jet-A. Lower swelling may result into leaks during aircraft operation. This trend was reversed when renewable fuels were blended with aromatics containing Jet-A. Lower energetic content per unit volume of the renewable fuels, resulted in a thrust reduction around 10% when compared to baseline Jet-A at full throttle settings, but other than this, no other significant effect on the engine combustion temperature or other parameters were found for short iv duration testing. On the other hand at the end of the alternative fuel testing an injector issue was detected, which caused a localized heat zone at the turbine stator, and subsequent damage. The investigation of the causes of this nozzle fouling, which may be related to fuel contamination, turbine manufacture defects, or operation conditions is left for future studies. Primary focus of this study is coking behavior of 8 different alternative fuel blends over 4 different metallic surfaces, as compared against baseline Jet-A. A specialized single tube heat exchanger apparatus was used where each fuel sample was allowed to flow through a metal tube placed inside a tube furnace. Thermal stresses caused by the break-down of hydrocarbon molecules and the catalytic effects of the tube surfaces affect thermal stability of the fuel, leading to coking deposits under the auto-oxidation and pyrolysis mechanisms. In the results reported in this study, physical methods such as gravimetric measurements were used to obtain the deposits, while UV/VIS absorption, and GC/MS were used to study chemical changes in fuel composition and their relation with coking deposits. Thermal depositions between 16 and 46 μg/cm2 were measured at the tubes after 3 hours of testing, finding no significant differences between the baseline Jet-A and the renewable fuels blends, even when sulfur levels, which are linked to deposits formation, were lower for the renewable fuels. Fuel bulk constituents, such as paraffins and cycloalkanes, under thermal stressing and catalytic influence of the tube metals cracked into reactive intermediates leading to surface deposits formation, like aromatic compounds. These compounds were identified by the shift towards longer excitation wavelengths of the UV-Vis absorption measurements on stressed fuels.