Research
Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
Fig 1: This technology is a novel, heterogenous, multi-functional catalyst which selectively activates the active metal clusters using microwave energy to reach the 700°C reaction temperature to activate the stable C-H bonds while maintaining lower temperatures at the acid sites to prohibit the polymerization that leads to coke formation.
The novelty of the technique is the use of electromagnetic energy to enable activation and transformation of chemical bonds at the interface of catalyst and reactants, overcoming equilibrium limitations, thus achieving higher yields at relatively low overall temperature and pressure. Catalyst and reacting species can interact with a microwave field and provide energy to the reaction through relaxation processes, such as dipolar or Debye processes, which couple microwave radiation with dipoles in the solid catalyst.
Fig 2: Synthesis of ammonia from renewable electricity (solar or wind power) under low pressure (0-200 psig) and temperature of 250-400oC. This technology is developed for small scale distributed production of ammonia which can be used as a hydrogen carrier or fertilizer. The technology is specifically developed for energy resources with intermittent production by nature (solar, wind, flaring gas, etc).
Fig 3: Apart from the technological challenges in utilization of renewable energy sources, e.g. biomass, they are not cost-effective and their return on investment index (ROI) is quite low. Transition from fossil hydrogen to renewable hydrogen is bridged by the unique natural gas – biomass co-processing. At WVU, hydrogen rich syngas production through renewable hardwood biomass gasification was obtained through synergistic natural gas–biomass co-processing.
Fig 4: Microwave-enhanced catalytic membrane reactor can overcome thermodynamic limitations to achieve higher conversion even at lower reaction temperature. The technology eliminates downstream hydrogen separation from light produced gas. This is energy efficient production of chemicals and hydrogen form direct natural gas conversion.