The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 7
PROCESS NEWS
Scientists Reveal New Design for Cells
Turning Carbon Dioxide into a Green Fuel
A new electrochemical cell, with a porous membrane layer
in between the electrodes, is an innovative method for
converting bicarbonate ions into formate ions. Catalytic
material-based electrodes are separated from a polymer
electrolyte membrane via a porous cellulose ester
membrane. Hydrogen ions derived at one electrode pass
through the electrolyte membrane, reaching the porous
layer. The reaction with bicarbonate ions produces carbon
dioxide in the pores. The gas is further converted to formate
ions when it reaches the other electrode, which also has
contact with the porous membrane. The faradaic efficiency
of this cell is 85%, even when high currents are present,
and can operate smoothly for 30+ hours and realize nearly
complete bicarbonate to formate conversion, outperforming
the existing designs. Source: Carbon Capture Journal,
09/16/2024.
Monitoring Cyclone Reliability in Fluid
Catalytic Crackers
Fluid Catalytic Cracker (FCC) cyclones separate catalyst
particles from gas using centrifugal force. Catalyst loss
because of cyclone efficiency loss, e.g. erosion, and/or
catalyst attrition occurs in most FCCs. Erosion rates are not
easily measured and rely on several points of data including
increased cyclone inlet velocities, increased catalyst
loadings and elevated outlet tube velocities. One defense
against erosion from the gas flow contents in the cyclone is
to use refractory materials to create an abrasion-resistant
lining (ARL).
Overall cyclone performance relies heavily on velocity
parameters. Collection rates steadily improve in a specific
velocity range, but at a certain point, the collection curve
begins to descend because of catalyst re-entrainment and
attrition within the cyclone.
A proposed method to improve the cyclone's performance is
focused on predicting ARL thickness loss in the target area
or inlet scroll. The technology uses a digital algorithm to
accurately determine the current and future rates of erosion
based on the cyclones operating conditions. With this
advanced approach, refiners are better equipped to predict
abrasion lining erosion. The more extensive information
allows those refiners to better predict maintenance needs
during a turnaround (TAR), avoiding extended TARs
which increase revenue losses and repair costs. Source:
Hydrocarbon Processing, 09/2024.
The Catalyst Review
E-methanol: Benefits, Process, Challenges
and a Novel Technology to Produce Fuel
Andrew Symes, Founder and CEO of OxCCU, sat for an
interview with Hydrocarbon Processing to discuss the benefits,
process and challenges of e-methanol, but OxCCU's novel
process technology was of particular interest. Traditional cobalt
Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) catalysts require CO to be produced first
using reverse water gas shift before adding more H2
catalysts generally are not compatible with CO2
and H2
, generating a single
, as these
.
OxCCU's technology uses a one-step F-T catalyst/process
using direct hydrogenation of CO2
exothermic reaction like e-methanol, and eliminates the
traditional F-T energy-intensive first process step. Remaining
similar to the e-methanol process, following the reaction is a
recycle loop for advancing conversion, and the process ends
with liquid products. This is the point of differentiation. OxCCU's
liquid is long-chain hydrocarbons, not methanol. Producing jet
fuel from this liquid is easier, more cost-effective and utilizes
substantially less pressure. Source: Hydrocarbon Processing,
10/01/2024.
Toward Efficient Biofuel Production: A Review
of Online Upgrading Methods for Biomass
Pyrolysis
Decreased fossil fuel reserves and an environmental burden
due to fossil fuel extraction and combustion, made the
need for alternative renewable energy sources undeniable.
Synthesizing bio-oil (a complex mixture of aldehydes, ketones,
carboxylic acids, phenols, sugars and oligomers) from biomass
via fast pyrolysis is an option, but it carries product flaws,
presenting an opportunity to improve bio-oil using alternative
methods and innovative practices. Some of the highlighted
innovative techniques include plasma reactors, microwaveassisted
methods and pyrolysis under supercritical conditions.
Source: ACS, 10/01/2024.
Australian Researchers Use Liquid Metal
Catalysts to Develop Low Carbon Ammonia
This new liquid metal catalyst comprised of copper and
gallium, called nano planets, because of their structure
resemblance, hard crust, liquid outer core and solid inner core.
Copper and Gallium separately are unsatisfactory as catalysts
to produce ammonia. Once combined, the catalyst works at 4
bar and 400°C. For comparison, the traditional catalysts work
at 200 bar and 500°C. The nano planets reduce heat by 20%
and pressure by 98%. It is possible that increasing the new
catalyst's pressure will result in greater activity. Source: The
Chemical Engineer, 09/24/2024.
October 2024
7
The Catalyst Review October 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review October 2024
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 1
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 2
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 3
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 4
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 5
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 6
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 7
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 8
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 9
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 10
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 11
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 12
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 13
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 14
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 15
The Catalyst Review October 2024 - 16
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-january-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-december-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/TheCatalystReviewNovember2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-april-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the-catalyst-review-march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_february_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_january_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_december_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_november_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_october_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_september_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/catalyst/catalystreview/the_catalyst_review_august_2023
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com