Generation of Nitrous oxide (N2O, 'laughing gas') in a Flow Reactor (funded by BASF)

一氧化二氮（N2O，笑气）是一种广泛使用的液态碳氢化合物（如环己烯到环己酮）的选择性氧化剂。虽然通过硝酸铵热分解生成氧化亚氮是一个众所周知的过程，但出于安全考虑，该反应目前是在环境压力下进行的，氧化亚氮在使用前必须经过压缩和冷却才能进行储存。该项目的目标是发现和开发基于本质安全流动反应器系统中硝酸铵热分解的液相N2O生成。硝酸铵的分解将首先在高压（例如100巴）下进行，这可以使用流动反应器安全地进行，以控制热失控的危险，从而实现“按需”生成N2O以供立即使用。进一步的步骤将包括分解反应的设计和优化，以及该方法的成本效益论证及其在范例氧化步骤中的直接使用。项目背景和机会：该项目是一个具有大量化学成分的化学工程项目。它非常适合寻求在化学工程-化学界面跨学科工作的候选人。成功的候选人将能够与更广泛的活动互动，并利用这些活动的好处。在学习期间，将有机会在巴斯夫组织内实习（总共长达一年的时间）。

Nitrous oxide (N2O, 'laughing gas') is a widely used selective oxidant of hydrocarbons in a liquid phase (e.g. Cyclohexene to Cyclohexanone). Although the generation of nitrous oxide by thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate is a well-known process, due to safety concerns the reaction is currently carried out under ambient pressure and the nitrous oxide must be compressed and cooled before storage can take place, prior to use. The goal of this project is to discover and develop the generation of N2O in a liquid phase, based upon the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate in an inherently safe flow reactor system. The decomposition of ammonium nitrate will be at first carried out under high pressure (e.g. 100 bar), which can be performed safely using a flow-reactor to control the hazards of thermal runaway, thus enabling 'on-demand' generation of N2O for immediate use. Further steps will include the design and optimisation of the decomposition reaction as well as demonstration of the cost-effectiveness of the approach and its direct use in exemplar oxidation steps. Project context and opportunities: The project is a Chemical Engineering project with substantial chemistry components. It is very well suited to candidates seeking to work across disciplines at the Chemical Engineering - Chemistry interface. The successful candidate will be able to interact with, and leverage the benefits of, this wider activity. There will be opportunities for placement(s) (total of up to one year duration) within the BASF organisation during the studentship period.