Enhanced combustion with nano-sized catalytically active particles

这项研究试图调查纳米催化燃烧的科学方面，这是制造手掌大小的发电机所必需的。与电池(约0.5MJ/kg)相比，这种便携式电力设备可以快速充电，并使用高能量密度的液体燃料(例如，甲醇：22MJ/kg，乙醇：25MJ/kg)，这对许多应用具有潜在的价值。其中一个关键是使用催化燃烧，而纳米催化金属颗粒的高反应性可以减少所需催化剂的量，降低所需的操作温度，减少热损失，提高系统的整体效率。然而，鉴于它们的所有优点，人们对控制使用纳米催化颗粒观察到的更高反应性的具体细节知之甚少。为了提高对纳米催化颗粒反应性的基本了解，并使其能够在商业技术中使用，拟议的研究将涉及在流动反应器中利用纳米颗粒进行催化燃烧的实验研究。PIS已经进行了初步实验，证明了甲醇在石英管反应器中的低起燃温度和低温氧化，现在他们建议系统地研究催化剂粒度、催化剂质量负载量和催化剂失活的影响。拟议的实验将通过温度测量来表征催化床反应器中的燃烧过程，并通过扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜对催化剂进行非原位分析。此外，还提出了一种平面几何的介观反应堆的设计和表征，该反应堆与热电发电机对接，作为手掌大小的发电机的一种手段。将利用商业计算流体力学软件和Surface CHEMKIN化学动力学模型进行建模。除了这项工作的科学和技术影响外，它还为培训学生在催化燃烧这一有前途的领域提供了宝贵的机会。将特别注意吸引来自代表性不足群体的学生，否则他们可能不会考虑通过德雷克塞尔现有的项目进行高等教育或燃烧科学。德雷克塞尔大学目前的外展计划与费城和特拉华州的中学和高中教师(MSP、RET)合作，并将通过燃烧、催化、纳米技术和能源问题的练习来加强。通过将这些问题介绍给大多数代表不足的少数族裔学生，它有望帮助他们进一步提高他们对STEM领域的兴趣。

CBET-0755740Pearlman The research seeks to investigate scientific aspects of nanocatalytic combustion that are necessary for creating palm-size electric generators. Such portable power devices could be recharged quickly and fueled with high-energy-density liquid fuels (e.g., methanol: 22 MJ/kg, ethanol: 25 MJ/kg) compared to batteries (~0.5 MJ/kg), potentially valuable for many applications. One key is to use catalytic combustion, and the high reactivity of nano-sized catalytic metal particles could reduce the amount of catalyst needed, reduce the required operating temperatures, reduce heat loss, and increase overall system efficiency. In light of all of their advantages, too little is however known about the specifics that control the increased reactivity observed using nano-sized catalytic particles. To improve fundamental understanding of the reactivity of nano-sized catalytic particles and enable their use in commercial technology, proposed study would involve an experimental investigation of catalytic combustion utilizing nano-sized particles in a flow reactor. The PIs have conducted preliminary experiments to demonstrate low light-off temperatures and low-temperature oxidation of methanol in a quartz-tube reactor, and they now propose to study the effects of catalyst particle size, catalyst mass loading, and catalyst deactivation systematically. Proposed experiments will characterize the combustion process in the catalytic bed reactor from temperature measurements and the catalyst by ex-situ analysis using SEM and TEM. Additionally, design and characterization of a meso-scale reactor in a planar geometry is proposed, interfacing with a thermo-electric generator as a means of palm-size electric generator. Modeling will be carried out utilizing commercial computational-fluid-dynamics software coupled with the Surface CHEMKIN chemical-kinetics model.In additional to the scientific and technological impact of this work, it provides a valuable opportunity to train students in the promising area of catalytic combustion. Special attention will be given to attracting students from under-represented groups who might not otherwise consider advanced education or combustion science through existing programs at Drexel. Current outreach programs at Drexel University work with Philadelphia and Delaware Middle and High School teachers (MSP, RET) and will be enhanced with exercises in combustion, catalysis, nanotechnology and energy issues. By introducing these issues to a broad group of largely under-represented minority students, it will hopefully help them to further their interest in STEM fields.