Career: Catalytic Solutions to Emission Control Problems

摘要：本研究的目的是设计用于排放控制的新型多相催化剂。该研究主要集中在两个方面：在氧气过剩（“贫”）的条件下，通过烃类（碳氢- scr）的选择性催化还原去除NOx；同时去除氮氧化物（NOx）和氯化挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）。提出的研究使用动力学和原位光谱表征技术。确定了整个反应网络中涉及的不同反应途径、反应中间体和活性表面位点。这些发现与现有催化剂的结构特性相关，并用于为下一代催化体系的设计和合成提供重要的线索。这项研究可能会产生一种新型的、水热稳定的碳氢化合物- scr催化剂，这种催化剂将在移动和固定排放控制应用中找到商业用途，而一种同时去除氮氧化物和氯化挥发性有机化合物的新型双功能催化剂将在控制城市和医疗废物焚烧装置的排放方面得到直接应用，并在控制氯化工和涂料工业的排放方面得到长期应用。拟议的教育计划包括在本科和研究生阶段开设新课程，并使本科生和研究生继续参与研究。新开设的课程包括一门大一的化学制造课程、一门高年级的环境工程选修课程和一门研究生的多相催化课程。

ABSTRACT CTS-9624433 The objective of this research is the design of novel heterogeneous catalysts for emission control applications. In particular, the research focuses on two applications: the removal of NOx via its selective catalytic reduction with hydrocarbons (hydrocarbon-SCR) under excess oxygen ("lean") conditions; and the simultaneous removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The proposed research uses kinetic and in-situ spectroscopic characterization techniques. The different reaction pathways involved in the overall reaction networks, the reactive intermediates, and the active surface sites are identified. These findings are correlated with the structural properties of existing catalysts and used to provide important leads for the design and synthesis of the next generation of catalytic systems. This research could lead to a novel, hydrothermally stable hydrocarbon-SCR catalyst that would find commercial use in both mobile and stationary emission control applications, while a new bifunctional catalyst for the simultaneous removal of NOx and clilorinated VOCs would find an immediate use in controlling emissions from municipal and medical waste-incineration units and a long-term use in controlling emissions from the chlorochemical and the coating industries. The proposed educational plan includes the development of new courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and the continuous involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in research. The new courses include a freshman-level course in chemical manufacturing, a senior-level elective course in environmental engineering, and a graduate-level course in heterogeneous catalysis.