Carbon-based catalysts derived from petroleum coke

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Catalysts are wonderful substances that enhance reaction rates, control the production of undesired products in chemical reactions, and contribute to over 35% of global gross domestic product. Although used in numerous processes, catalysts are central to the chemical and petroleum industries. Catalysts reduce the environmental impact of these processes by making processes more energy and material efficient through the reduction of the severity of the operating conditions (temperature and pressure) and increased selectivity to the desired products. Further gains in sustainability can be achieved by using a waste product to produce the catalysts. In this project, I am proposing to develop carbon-based catalysts from petroleum coke (petcoke) that is a byproduct of petroleum upgrading and is being stockpiled in Alberta, Canada at the rate of over 20 000 tonnes per day.