Nanofurnaces and Microreactors for Catalysis

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High-temperature gas-phase catalytic reactions are ubiquitous to the chemical industries and the environment. These reactions can provide the building blocks for downstream production or can convert toxic flue gases to innocuous chemicals. Knowing that the reaction takes place at the surface of the catalyst, a large fraction of the energy is lost heating the gas, the support, and the bed. This is especially true for endothermic reactions, for which heat must be continually supplied to the bed. For exothermic reactions, the substrate, the bed, and the gas itself contribute to thermal inertia which extends the light-off delay before the reactor is operational. In this research program, we propose to use magnetic induction as an alternative to traditional heating methods. This way, the heat is administered directly to the reaction site thus providing higher energy efficiency and faster heating rates. This will be done using assemblies of nanomaterials consisting of magnetic nanoparticles, susceptible to magnetic induction heating (IH), decorated by the catalyst. In our 5-year research program, we will build on previous successes of the lab to investigate and develop the concept of nano furnaces in high-temperature gas-phase catalytic reactions. The research objectives will target several aspects of this novel catalytic process: (A) Design a new nanomaterial template for induction catalysis made of a magnetic susceptor, an inert shell (or matrix), and a catalyst within or on the shell. Their behavior during the reaction will be studied with in situ techniques which will provide precious and unique insight into the evolution of the nanostructures during operation. (B) Investigate different fixed-bed reactor designs by comparing their specific absorption rate. This theme will branch to test the possibility of using induction heating to produce carbon nanosphere by the decomposition of acetylene. (C) Simulate and model the process to support the design and the optimization of the reactor. Once the model is validated against experimental data, we aim to map the temperature and the reaction rate across the catalyst bed of IH and conventional types of reactors using a multiscale approach. The catalyst can be further optimized to improve the overall performance. With a detailed analysis of the exhaust gas, the yield, production rate, and the power consumed, we will benchmark the various induction heating configurations against equivalent reactors heated by traditional means. The research program proposes new approaches to investigate induction heated catalytic processes. This emerging field of research offers a rich variety of scientific challenges in the fields of nanomaterials engineering, reactor design, and modeling. The research program provides fertile grounds for HQP training and for innovation that can lead to more efficient types of reactors and novel pathways to produce blue hydrogen or mitigate toxic emissions.