Catalytic processes with plasma and cavitation dual intensification: application in hydrodeoxygenation

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Canada is committed to deep decarbonization targeting the reduction of per capita carbon dioxide emissions from 20.1 tons in 2015 to 1.7 tons in 2050. The transportation, oil, and gas sectors contribute 60% of the total CO2 emissions. GHG reductions in these sectors can be achieved by developing more energy efficient chemical processes and also by using carbon neutral energy. In the transportation sector there is some momentum towards adopting electric vehicles to reduce GHG emissions however, for the foreseeable future there will continue to be a need for liquid fuels especially for the aviation and marine sectors. Significant reductions in GHG emissions can be achieved by developing sustainable processes for the production of carbon neutral biofuels. These imperatives are driving worldwide efforts to transform our traditional energy scheme into a sustainable one and to achieve a paradigm shift in the technology of fuel and chemical production. This represents a significant challenge requiring several advancements from today's technologies. The proposed research program will address the above challenges and will facilitate Canadian leadership in achieving the deep decarbonization goals. This will be accomplished through a strategically planned program that will deliver world-class research via dual catalytic intensified processes for energy innovations with an application for advanced biofuels upgrading. It defines a new research direction that integrates non-conventional energy modules - Cavitation and Plasma - to the traditional thermal process in order to activate catalysts, tune kinetics and intensify reactions at milder reaction conditions (e.g. lower temperature and/or pressure). Cavitation can create extreme micro-environments, which results in very high temperatures and pressures locally, with the overall macro-environment remaining the same as pre-set operating conditions. Plasma is commonly known for its capability to activate catalytic reactions. It can polarize reactant molecules and dissociate chemical bonds. Integration of the two energy modules is expected to create extreme micro environments where the intra and inter-molecular effectiveness are maximized so that the targeted reactions - formation of in-situ hydrogen and hydrodeoxygenation can take place at mild conditions. The intensified catalytic processes are expected to (1) develop a novel cavitation-plasma intensified catalytic process for small-scaled biorefinery; (2) maximize mass transfer between phase interfaces in a multiphase reaction; (3) realize the generation of in-situ hydrogen for hydrodeoxygenation; (4) develop a recyclable bifunctional catalyst for hydrogen formation and for deoxygenation of biofuels.