Chemical reaction engineering for clean energy and environmentally friendly processes

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Chemical reaction engineering plays a significant role in the advancement of clean energy and environmentally friendly chemical processes. The long-term objective of the proposed research is to develop novel catalysts, mechanistically based kinetic rate models and innovative chemical reactors to make possible the scale up of environmentally friendly industrial processes. To accomplish this, the proposed research will take advantage of the newly available prototypes of applicant's patented technology such as the CREC Riser Simulator and bench scale Photo-CREC photocatalytic reactors. These are unique devices for establishing catalyst performance and kinetic rate models under industrial operating conditions. Studies will be developed using statistically based kinetics and parameter estimation and will lead to rate equations which incorporate intrinsic kinetics, adsorption and intraparticle diffusion. The specific research objectives for this proposal can be summarized as follows: a) Kinetics and mechanistic models for the conversion of biomass using nickel based fluidizable catalysts, b) Nucleation and nuclei based kinetics for chemical looping combustion using stable oxygen carriers, c) Thermodynamics and quantum efficiencies for photocatalytic conversion of organic pollutants, d) Kinetic modeling of sulfur removal and di-methyl-ether conversion using ZSM-5 zeolites. The proposed research will help bring into practice chemical technologies which will provide the following: a) capture of CO2 emissions, b) energy from biomass with zero net CO2 emissions, c) production of fuels and biofuels with lower levels of sulfur and benzene containing compounds, d) removal of organic pollutants from water and air. The planned research will contribute to the establishment of emerging technologies, to the protection of the environment and to the well being of the Canadian population.