Nanosized Pt-Co catalysts for the preferential CO oxidation

The preferential CO oxidation in the presence of excess hydrogen was studied over Pt-Co/gamma-Al2O3. CO chemisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) were conducted to characterize active catalysts. The catalytic activity for CO oxidation and methanation at low temperatures increased with the amounts of cobalt in Pt-Co/gamma-Al2O3. This accompanied the TPR peak shift to lower temperatures. The optimum molar ratio between Co and Pt was determined to be 10. The co-impregnated Pt-Co/gamma-Al2O3 appeared to be superior to Pt/Co/gamma-Al2O3 and Co/Pt/gamma-Al2O3. The reductive pretreatment at high temperature such as 773 K increased the CO2 selectivity over a wide reaction temperature. The bimetallic phase of Pt-Co seems to give rise to high catalytic activity in selective oxidation of CO in H2-rich stream.     

Influence of the nanoscale support on carbon deposition and carbon elimination over Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst for CH4 conversion

Characteristics of carbon deposition by CH4 and carbon elimination by CO2 over conventional and nanoscale Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts were investigated by using a pulse reaction, as well as by TGA, TEM, TPO-MS, H2-TPR and H2-chemisorption techniques. It was found that the behaviors of carbon deposition by CH4 decomposition and carbon elimination by CO2 depend on the active metal dispersion and the metal-support interaction. The filamentous carbon was formed on the conventional Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst with low metal dispersion and relatively large particles, this type of filamentous carbon was far from the active centers and difficult to eliminate by CO2. On the other hand, the carbon deposition originated from CH4 decomposition on the nanoscale Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst would mainly cover the surface of active centers, this type of highly active carbon was easily eliminated by CO2 because it is close to the active center Ni atoms. As a result, the improvement of coking-resistance was ascribed to the high metal dispersion and strong metal-support interaction, a model of CH4 decomposition carbon deposition on Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was proposed.     

Catalytic activity of CuOn-La2O3/gamma-Al2O3 for microwave assisted ClO2 catalytic oxidation of phenol wastewater

In order to develop a catalyst with high activity and stability for microwave assisted ClO2 catalytic oxidation, we prepared CuOn-La2O3/gamma-Al2O3 by impregnation-deposition method, and determined its properties using BET, XRF, XPS and chemical analysis techniques. The test results show that, better thermal ability of gamma-Al2O3 and high loading of Cu in the catalyst can be achieved by adding La2O3. The microwave assisted ClO2 catalytic oxidation process with CuOn-La2O3/gamma-Al2O3 used as catalyst was also investigated, and the results show that the catalyst has an excellent catalytic activity in treating synthetic wastewater containing 100 mg/L phenol, and 91.66% of phenol and 50.35% of total organic carbon (TOC) can be removed under the optimum process conditions. Compared with no catalyst process, CuOn-La2O3/gamma-Al2O3 can effectively degrade contaminants in short reaction time and with low oxidant dosage, extensive pH range. The comparison of phenol removal efficiency in the different process indicates that microwave irradiation and catalyst work together to oxidize phenol effectively. It can therefore be concluded from results and discussion that CuOn-La2O3/gamma-Al2O3 is a suitable catalyst in microwave assisted ClO2 catalytic oxidation process.     

Transmitted-light microscopy - a new method for surface structure analysis of cleanable non-woven dust filter media

A series of CeO(2)-ZrO(2) mixed oxides were prepared using coprecipitation method and characterized by BET, oxygen storage capacity (OSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and H(2)-temperature-programmed reduction (H(2)-TPR). The catalytic activities toward toluene combustion were investigated in a micro-reactor. The results demonstrate that the catalytic activity of Pt/gamma-Al(2)O(3)/Ce(0.50)Zr(0.50)O(2) monolithic catalyst can be greatly improved by doping metal into Ce(0.50)Zr(0.50)O(2). When doping Y and Mn into Ce(0.50)Zr(0.50)O(2) simultaneously, the catalyst Pt/gamma-Al(2)O(3)/Ce(0.40)Zr(0.40)Y(0.10)Mn(0.10)O(X) shows the highest activity. The T(10) (the temperature of 10% toluene conversion) and the complete conversion temperature (the temperature of 90% toluene conversion) of toluene are 443 and 489K, respectively. Gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) results show that the prepared catalyst can be applied in a wide range of GHSV (from 12,000 to 20,000h(-1)). The catalyst prepared shows great potential for practical application.     

Steam reforming of glycerol into hydrogen over nano-size Ni-based hydrotalcite-like catalysts

Steam reforming (SR) of glycerol for the production of hydrogen was investigated over the nano-sized Ni-based catalysts. The Ni-based catalysts were prepared by solid phase crystallization and impregnation methods, and characterized by N2 physisorption, CO chemisorption, XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques. The Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst showed higher conversion and H2 selectivity. However, it was slowly deactivated due to the carbon formation on the surface of catalyst and the sintering. It was found that the Ni based hydrotalcite-like catalyst (spc-Ni/MgAl) showed higher catalytic activity to prevent carbon formation than Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst in the SR of glycerol.     

Preparation of platinum nanoparticle and its catalytic activity for toluene oxidation

Colloidal Pt nanoparticles are prepared using H2PtCl6 as a precursor, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP: molecular weight = 10,000 and 40,000) and hydrogen as a stabilizing agent and a reducing agent, respectively. The amounts of the precursor and the stabilizing agent and the molecular weight of PVP have an effect on the formation of Pt nanoparticles. Supported Pt catalyst (CSPt) is prepared from colloidal Pt nanoparticles and y-Al2O3. Another supported Pt catalyst (ISPt) is prepared by using the conventional incipient wetness impregnation method with an aqueous H2PtCl6 solution and gamma-Al2O3. The catalytic activities of CSPt and ISPt catalysts are compared for VOC (toluene) oxidation. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV-vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) are used to characterize CSPt and ISPt catalysts. The experimental results reveal that the catalytic activity of CSPt is superior to that of ISPT.     

Effect of controlling nano-sized copper by silver in copper-based catalyst on catalytic oxidation of toluene

Catalytic oxidation of VOC (toluene) over a copper based catalyst was carried out to assess its properties and performance. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), N2O pulse titration and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize a series of 5 wt% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts modified with silver. The experimental results revealed that the addition of silver to 5 wt% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst highly enhanced its catalytic activity. With increasing addition amount of silver, the light-off curve for complete oxidation of toluene shifted to lower temperature. In addition, the increase of the addition amount of silver caused the copper particle size of 5 wt% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst to gradually increase. Subsequently, it demonstrated that the increase in the copper particle size is closely associated with the increase in catalytic activity.     

Effect of CeO2 doping on catalytic activity of Fe2O3/gamma-Al2O(3) catalyst for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of azo dyes

In order to find a catalyst with high activity and stability for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) process under normal condition, with Fe(2)O(3)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) and Fe(2)O(3)-CeO(2)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) catalysts prepared by impregnation method, the effect of CeO(2) doping on the structure and catalytic activity of Fe(2)O(3)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of azo dyes at 25 degrees C and atmospheric pressure is evaluated using BET, SEM, XRF, XRD, XPS and chemical analysis techniques, and test results show that, better dispersion and smaller size of Fe(2)O(3) crystal can be achieved by adding CeO(2), and the content of chemisorbed oxygen can also be increased on the surface of catalyst. CWPO experimental results indicate that azo dyes in simulated wastewater can be efficiently mineralized and the catalytic activity of Fe(2)O(3)-CeO(2)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) can be increased by about 10% compared with that of Fe(2)O(3)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) because of the promotion of the structural and redox properties of the ferric oxide by ceria doped. Leaching tests indicate that Fe(2)O(3)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) and Fe(2)O(3)-CeO(2)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) are stable with a negligible amount of irons found in the aqueous solution after reaction for 2h. It can therefore be concluded from results and discussion that in comparison with Fe(2)O(3)/gamma-Al(2)O(3), Fe(2)O(3)-CeO(2)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) is a suitable catalyst, which can effectively degrade contaminants at normal temperature and atmospheric pressure.     

The catalytic oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons over supported metal oxide

The catalytic activity of metals (Cu, Mn, Fe, V, Mo, Co, Ni, Zn)/gamma-Al2O3 was investigated to bring about the complete oxidation of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX). Among them, Cu/gamma-Al2O3 was found to be the most promising catalyst based on activity. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer Emmett Teller method (BET), electron probe X-ray micro analysis (EPMA) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) by H2 were used to characterize a series of supported copper catalysts. Increasing the calcination temperature resulted in decreasing the specific surface areas of catalysts and, subsequently, the catalytic activity. Copper loadings on gamma-Al2O3 had a great effect on catalytic activity, and 5 wt.% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was observed to be the most active, which might be contributed to the well-dispersed copper surface phase. Using TiO2 (anatase), TiO2 (rutile), SiO2 (I) and SiO2 (II) as support instead of gamma-Al2O3, the activity sequence of 5 wt.% Cu with respect to the support was gamma-Al2O3 > TiO2 (rutile) > TiO2 (anatase)>SiO2 (I) > SiO2 (II), and this appeared to be correlated with the distribution of copper on support rather than with the specific surface area of the catalyst. The smaller particle size of copper, due to its high dispersion on support, had a positive effect on catalytic activity. The activity of 5 wt.% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 with respect to the VOC molecule was observed to follow this sequence: toluene > xylene > benzene. Increasing the reactant concentration exerted an inhibiting effect on the catalytic activity.     

Nitrogen monoxide adsorption on Pt4 clusters coated on gamma-Al2O3 (111) surface

The nitrogen monoxide (NO) adsorption on platinum tetramer (Pt4) clusters supported on gamma alumina (gamma-Al2O3) with surface index (111) was investigated by using ab-initio calculation based on density functional theory. The Pt4 geometries used in this study are tetrahedron and planar rhombus. The adsorption of Pt4 on gamma-Al2O3 (111) surface in tetrahedron configuration is energetically more favorable as compared to that of the planar rhombus. However, it was found that NO molecule adheres strongly to Pt4 with planar configuration on gamma-Al2O3(111) surface. In addition, the NO adsorption calculation on the isolated Pt4 clusters also shows similar preference to planar configuration. The local density of states (LDOS) reveals that the difference in reactivity comes from the different hybridization strengths between the electronic states of nitrogen atom and those of platinum tetramers. The results are in good agreement with the experiments which show similar tendency for CO and N2O reactivity to gas-phase platinum clusters.     

Aqueous phase reforming of glycerol over Ni-based catalysts for hydrogen production

Aqueous phase reforming of glycerol over Ni-based catalysts for hydrogen production was carried out at 225 degrees C, 23 bar and LHSV = 4 h(-1). The Ni-based catalyst was prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalysts before and after the reaction were characterized by N2 physisorption, CO chemisorption, XRD, TPR, SEM and TEM techniques. It was found that Ni(20 wt%)-Co(3 wt%)/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst showed higher glycerol conversion and hydrogen selectivity than Ni(20 wt%)/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. There are no major changes in Ni particles after the reaction over Ni-Co/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. The results suggest that the Ni-Co/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst can be applied to the hydrogen production system using APR of glycerol.     

A study of Zn-Mn based sorbent for the high-temperature removal of H2S from coal-derived gas

Zn-Mn based sorbents supported on SiO2, gamma-Al(2)O(3) and ZrO2, prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method with calcination at 973 K were investigated for the removal of H(2)S from coal derived gas at the temperature ranges of 773-973 K. Results reveal that the SiO2 and ZrO2 supports exhibit the better performance because better removal efficiency. The addition of manganese effectually improves the vaporization of zinc. In addition, some operating parameters were also considered in order to understand as well as screen the suitable conditions for the development of Zn-Mn based sorbents on the removal of H(2)S. Over 98% sorbent utilization was established for the use of SiO2 at 873 K. On the other hand, within the 5-15 wt% of Zn-Mn oxides, no significant change in the sorbent utilization was observed. Up to 30 wt% the sorbent utilization decreased slightly compared to lower contents, which may be attributed to the deficient dispersion. With increasing the H2 concentration, the sorbent utilization decreases and an adverse result is observed in the case of increasing CO concentration. The relationship between CO and H2 could be explained via the water-gas shift reaction. Moreover, the apparent activation energy and frequency factor as well as the predicted results were studied with a deactivation model. The results of regression fitting reveal the accurate prediction breakthrough behaviors for the removal of H(2)S.     

Aqueous phase reforming of glycerol over the Pd loaded Ni/Al2O3 catalysts

Bifunctional catalysts containing (0.5-1.5 wt%) palladium and 15 wt% of Nickel supported on gamma-Al2O3 were prepared via an impregnation technique and catalysts were characterzed by XRD BET surface area and SEM, respectively. The aqueous phase reforming of glycerol (APR) was conducted over alumina-supported catalysts at different reaction conditions for catalytic activity. Finally, we concluded that the 1.0 wt% Pd 15 wt% Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst evidences higher conversion, hydrogen selectivity, lower alkane selectivity and CO production. This indicate that Pd loaded Ni/gamma-Al2O3 could be a potential catalyst for the APR of glycerol.     

Catalytic performance of nanosized Pt-Au alloy catalyst in oxidation of methanol and toluene

The alloy formed between a group-VII metal such as platinum and a group-IB metal such as gold changes the catalytic behavior compared to the monometallic phase, increasing the selectivity toward certain products and also decreasing the deactivation rate. Pt-Au alloy nanoparticles coated on alumina support were found to be catalytically very active for complete oxidation of methanol and toluene. Furthermore, the nanosized Pt-Au particles were added to ZnO/Al2O3 on monolith catalyst. Also, effect of various parameters such as concentration of methanol and toluene and feed flow rate was investigated. Au particles were sized in 20 approximately 30 nm and Pt particles were well dispersed. In case of alumina supported powder catalyst, complete oxidation of methanol occurred at a temperature lower than that of toluene. From oxidation activity of monolithic honeycomb with Pt and Au particles, the conversion of methanol was increased with increasing the concentration of methanol, but conversion of toluene showed a decreasing tendency as the concentration of toluene increased. Also, conversion of methanol over honeycomb catalyst was not largely affected by feed flow rate, while conversion in toluene oxidation was decreased rapidly as feed flow rate was increased. As a result, the Pt-Au/ZnO/Al2O3/M catalyst used is likely to efficiently treat a large volume of exhaust gas containing VOCs.     

Catalytic activity of active carbons impregnated before activation of pinewood sawdust and nutshells to be used on the control of atmospheric emissions

This work analyses the catalytic activity of metal oxides impregnated on activated carbons to be used for the complete oxidation of benzene present in atmospheric emissions. When the impregnation step is performed before CO2 activation, the knowledge about catalytic activity is as yet quite scarce, being the main objective of the study here reported. Pinewood sawdust and nutshells were recycled to produce the activated carbons. Non-expensive metal oxides (CoO, Co3O4 and CrO3) were impregnated. When the impregnation was performed before CO2 activation instead of after activation, at 523 K the kinetic constants were 3.6-4.3 times higher for sawdust carbons, and 2.1-2.7 times higher for nutshell carbons, due to a better metal oxide dispersion on higher mesopore areas and on wider micropores. With Co3O4 as catalyst, a benzene conversion of 90% was reached at a lower temperature than with CrO3 (472 and 558 K, respectively). The carbons impregnated before CO2 activation allowed very good conversions at temperatures that guarantee carbon stability (lower than 575 K). The results obtained led to the conclusion that activated carbon is a suitable support for metal oxide catalyst aiming the complete oxidation of benzene, mainly if an adequately porous texture is induced, proceeding to the impregnation before CO2 activation.     

Synthesis of carbon nanostructures--in-situ study of carbon deposition parameters

An in-situ study of carbon deposition parameters by the method of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from methane is used in order to estimate the time of the deactivation catalyst (Fe/Mo catalyst supported on alumina (AI2O3)). The deposition process is studied by measuring the weight change of the sample using a microbalance. The effect of the operating parameters, such as temperature, feed concentration, and catalyst composition, on the deposition rate and morphology of the deposits is investigated. Based on the initial weight of the catalyst, the relative weight gain of the sample due to carbon deposition on the catalyst is higher than 300% in a few minutes of the deposition process but the deposition rate reduces in more than 100 min. The carbon material characterized with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy and it is found to consist of carbon nanostructures.     

Catalytic decomposition of 1,2-dichlorobenzene using Pt-loaded nanoporous zeolite MFI catalyst

Nanoporous zeolite MFI was prepared by using HClO4 as a promoter. A significant proportion of the synthesized zeolite MFI nanoparticles exhibited nanoporous characteristics. Although the synthesis of the zeolite MFI was completed within 6 h, the crystallinity of all the zeolite MFI was shown to be high. The synthesis time of approximately 6 h used in this study was much shorter than the conventional hydrothermal method. The feasibility of the new nanoporous zeolite MFI towards the gas phase catalytic oxidation of a model for dioxin, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, was tested by comparing the catalytic activity of Pt/nanoporous zeolite MFI with that of a Pt/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. The catalytic activity of the Pt/nanoporous zeolite MFI was higher than that of the Pt/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. The internal surface area and acidity appears to be a major factor for the decomposition of 1,2-dichlorobenzene.     

Testing carbon sequestration site monitor instruments using a controlled carbon dioxide release facility

Two laser-based instruments for carbon sequestration site monitoring have been developed and tested at a controlled carbon dioxide (CO(2)) release facility. The first instrument uses a temperature tunable distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser capable of accessing the 2.0027-2.0042 microm spectral region that contains three CO(2) absorption lines and is used for aboveground atmospheric CO(2) concentration measurements. The second instrument also uses a temperature tunable DFB diode laser capable of accessing the 2.0032-2.0055 mum spectral region that contains five CO(2) absorption lines for underground CO(2) soil gas concentration measurements. The performance of these instruments for carbon sequestration site monitoring was studied using a newly developed controlled CO(2) release facility. A 0.3 ton CO(2)/day injection experiment was performed from 3-10 August 2007. The aboveground differential absorption instrument measured an average atmospheric CO(2) concentration of 618 parts per million (ppm) over the CO(2) injection site compared with an average background atmospheric CO(2) concentration of 448 ppm demonstrating this instrument's capability for carbon sequestration site monitoring. The underground differential absorption instrument measured a CO(2) soil gas concentration of 100,000 ppm during the CO(2) injection, a factor of 25 greater than the measured background CO(2) soil gas concentration of 4000 ppm demonstrating this instrument's capability for carbon sequestration site monitoring.     

Benzene oxidation with ozone over supported manganese oxide catalysts: effect of catalyst support and reaction conditions

Catalytic oxidation of gaseous benzene with ozone was carried out over supported manganese oxides to investigate the factors controlling the catalytic activities. The rate for benzene oxidation linearly increased with the surface area of catalyst, regardless of the kinds of catalyst support, whereas the ratio of ozone decomposition rate to benzene oxidation rate was larger for SiO(2)-supported catalyst than Al(2)O(3)-, TiO(2)-, and ZrO(2)-supported catalysts. The rate for benzene oxidation and CO(x) selectivity increased with the reaction temperature (22-100 degrees C) and were improved by the addition of water vapor to reaction gases. Benzene conversion and carbon balance increased with ozone concentration.     

The catalytic incineration of (CH3)2S and its mixture with CH(3)SH over a Pt/Al(2)O(3) catalyst

Catalytic incineration is one of the cost-effective technologies to solve the troublesome volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, some sulfur containing VOCs, such as dimethyl sulfide, may deactivate the Pt catalyst that is commonly used in the catalytic incineration process. This paper provides information on the poisoning effect of (CH3)2S. The catalytic incineration of (CH3)2S, typically emitted from the petrochemical industry, over a Pt/Al(2)O(3) fixed bed catalytic reactor was studied. The effects of operating parameters including inlet temperature, space velocity, (CH3)2S concentration, O2 concentration and catalyst size were characterized. Catalytic incineration on a mixture of (CH3)2S with CH(3)SH was also tested. The results show that the conversions of (CH3)2S increase as the inlet temperature increases and the space velocity decreases. The higher the (CH3)2S concentration is, the lower its conversion is. The O2 concentration has a positive effect on the conversion of (CH3)2S. (CH3)2S has a poisoning effect on the Pt/Al(2)O(3) catalyst, especially at lower temperatures. The conversion of (CH3)2S is significantly suppressed by the existence of CH(3)SH.