Publications
131 results found
Ji G, George A, Skoulou V, et al., 2018, Investigation and simulation of the transport of gas containing mercury in microporous silica membranes, Chemical Engineering Science, Vol: 190, Pages: 286-296, ISSN: 0009-2509
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd This work investigates the effect of condensable Hg vapour on the transport of N2gas across cobalt oxide silica (CoOxSi) membranes. Experimental results suggest that Hg significantly affects N2permeation at 100 and 200 °C, though this effect is negligible at 300 °C. This effect was found to have a correlation with Hg adsorption on CoOxSi xerogels. In order to understand the Hg effect in the transport phenomena of N2permeation, the oscillator model was used to model gas transport through pores with different sizes. By including effective medium theory (EMT), the oscillator model fitted well the experimental results and gave good prediction of mass transfer in ultra-microporous materials with a tri-modal pore size distribution, such as silica membranes. It is postulated that Hg seeks lower level potentials in micro-pores, and therefore Hg molecules tend to block small pores (2.5–4 Å from 2.9 Å), or reduce the average pore size of larger pores (6.7–7.8 Å and 12–14 Å). Although N2permeation decreased with the presence of Hg, it did not decrease when the Hg load was increased by a factor of ten; this strongly suggests the adsorption of Hg molecules in the smaller pores (2.5–4.0 Å), or along the pore wall for the larger pore ranges (6.7–7.8 Å and 12–14 Å).
Yeletsky PM, Reina TR, Bulavchenko OA, et al., 2018, Phenanthrene catalytic cracking in supercritical water: effect of the reaction medium on NiMo/SiO<inf>2</inf> catalysts, Catalysis Today, ISSN: 0920-5861
© 2018 A series of NiMo/SiO2 catalysts was synthesized by sol-gel method for heavy oil upgrading in supercritical water (SCW). Phenanthrene was used as substrate as it represents polyaromatic structures present in asphaltenes. No phenanthrene conversion was observed in a blank (non‐catalytic) experiment. However, phenanthrene conversions up to 24% after 1 h of reaction in SCW at 425 °C and 230 bar were observed in the presence of NiMo/SiO2, underlining the role of the catalysts in the process. Conversion was found to be dependent mainly on Ni content and the Ni/Mo ratio in the catalysts. The liquid products obtained are thought to be the result of both oxidation and hydrogenation processes. Characterization of the fresh and spent catalysts using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed. It was revealed that catalysts are not completely stable in SCW, showing that NiMo intermetallic compounds formed the initial catalysts were decomposed, Mo0 and Ni0 were oxidised and the latter formed Ni2SiO4. In addition, MoO2 phase domain size in the catalysts increased and the surface of the spent catalysts appeared to be enriched with Ni and depleted with Mo.
Cardoso A, Ramirez Reina T, Suelves I, et al., 2018, Effect of carbon-based materials and CeO<inf>2</inf>on Ni catalysts for Kraft lignin liquefaction in supercritical water, Green Chemistry, Vol: 20, Pages: 4308-4318, ISSN: 1463-9262
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018. Kraft lignin (KL) is a by-product from cellulose production typically treated as a waste or used as a low-value fuel in heat and power generation in the pulp and paper industry. This study explores KL upgrading to monoaromatic compounds using supercritical water (SCW) as reaction medium. The effect of Ni-CeO2catalysts supported on carbon nanofibers (CNF) and activated carbon (AC) on the product distribution was investigated. These catalysts were prepared by a wet-impregnation method with acetone, and reduced Ni was observed without the use of H2. CNF presented a high degree of stability in SCW. Ni in its reduced state was still present in all spent catalysts, mainly when CNF were the support. While catalysts supported in AC led to high yields of char and gas, a 56 wt% yield of a light liquid fraction, recovered as dichloromethane (DCM)-soluble product and consisting mainly of (methoxy)phenols (>80 mol%), was obtained in a batch reactor at 400 °C, 230 bar, with Ni-CeO2/CNF as a catalyst. A short reaction time was key to avoid the formation of gas and char. This study demonstrates that high yields of DCM-soluble products from KL and low char formation can be obtained by using only SCW and catalysts, an alternative to widely reported approaches like the addition of organic co-solvents (e.g., phenol) and/or H2.
Bermudez JM, Garcia-Fayos J, Reina TR, et al., 2018, Thermochemical stability of La<inf>x</inf>Sr<inf>1-x</inf>Co<inf>y</inf>Fe<inf>1-y</inf>O<inf>3-Δ</inf>and NiFe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>4</inf>-Ce<inf>0.8</inf>Tb<inf>0.2</inf>O<inf>2-Δ</inf>under real conditions for its application in oxygen transport membranes for oxyfuel combustion, Journal of Membrane Science, Vol: 562, Pages: 26-37, ISSN: 0376-7388
© 2018 This work addresses the thermochemical stability of ceramic materials –typically used in oxygen transport membranes– under the harsh gas environments found in oxyfuel combustion processes. Specifically, a dual-phase NiFe2O4-Ce0.8Tb0.2O2-δ(NFO-CTO) composite and a single-phase La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ(LSCF) were studied. The effect of the main contaminants present in this kind of processes (CO2, SO2and H2O) has been tested. NFO-CTO composite remains stable under all the conditions studied whereas LSCF presents a poor stability in the presence of CO2and SO2. Regardless of the treatment, NFO-CTO conserves its crystalline structure, without giving rise to new species due to segregation or incorporation of sulphur and/or carbon. On the contrary, LSCF is prone to degradation in contact with CO2and SO2, segregating Sr in the form of SrCO3and SrSO4and Co and Fe in the form of CoO and Fe3O4. It is also shown that SO2interaction with LSCF is stronger than in the case of CO2. A concentration of just 2000 ppm of SO2in CO2is enough to subdue the formation of SrCO3, promoting the segregation of Sr only in the form of SrSO4. With the results presented in this work, it is possible to conclude that the NFO-CTO is a suitable candidate from the thermochemical viewpoint to be used as membrane material in 4-end modules for oxygen generation integrated into oxyfuel combustion processes whereas the use of LSCF should be dismissed.
Bizkarra K, Bermudez JM, Arcelus-Arrillaga P, et al., 2018, Nickel based monometallic and bimetallic catalysts for synthetic and real bio-oil steam reforming, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol: 43, Pages: 11706-11718, ISSN: 0360-3199
© 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC Catalysts based on Ni supported on alumina were studied for steam reforming (SR) of a synthetic bio-oil/bio-glycerol mixture and a real bio-oil. Catalyst tests were carried out in a continuous fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure and steam to carbon (S/C) ratio of 5.0. In the case of experiments with the bio-oil/bio-glycerol mixture the initial temperature was 1073 K, then it was successively changed to 973 K and 1073 K again to assess catalyst deactivation. Experiments with the bio-oil sample were run at 1073 K. First, the effect of modifications to the alumina support with CeO2 and La2O3 was studied in monometallic catalysts. Ni/CeO2–Al2O3 was identified as the catalyst more resistant to deactivation, likely due to its higher oxygen mobility, and selected for further tests. Then, bimetallic catalysts were produced by impregnation of noble metals (Pd, Pt or Rh) on the Ni catalyst supported on CeO2–Al2O3. Co-impregnation of Rh and Ni on the CeO2–Al2O3 support represented a further improvement in the catalytic activity and stability respect to the monometallic catalyst, leading to stable gas compositions close to thermodynamic equilibrium due to the favourable Rh–Ni interactions. Rh–Ni/CeO2–Al2O3 is therefore a promising catalyst to produce a hydrogen-rich gas from bio-oil SR.
Na BT, Ovtar S, Yu JH, et al., 2018, Performance and stability of (ZrO<inf>2</inf>)<inf>0.89</inf>(Y<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>)<inf>0.01</inf>(Sc<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>)<inf>0.10</inf>-LaCr<inf>0.85</inf>Cu<inf>0.10</inf>Ni<inf>0.05</inf>O<inf>3-Δ</inf>oxygen transport membranes under conditions relevant for oxy-fuel combustion, Journal of Membrane Science, Vol: 552, Pages: 115-123, ISSN: 0376-7388
© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Self-standing, planar dual-phase oxygen transport membranes consisting of 70 vol% (ZrO2).89(Y2O3).01(Sc2O3).10(10Sc1YSZ) and 30 vol% LaCr.85Cu.10Ni.05O3-δ(LCCN) were successfully developed and tested. The stability of the composite membrane was studied in simulated oxy-fuel power plant flue-gas conditions (CO2, SO2, H2O). The analyses of the exposed composites by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy revealed an excellent stability. Oxygen permeation fluxes were measured across 1000 µm thick and 110 µm thick self-supported 10Sc1YSZ-LCCN (70–30 vol%) membranes from 700 °C to 950 °C using air as the feed gas and N2or CO2as the sweep gas. The 110 µm thick membrane, prepared by tape-casting and lamination processes, showed oxygen fluxes up to 1.02 mLNcm−2min−1(950 °C, air/N2). Both membranes demonstrated stable performances over long-term stability tests (250–300 h) performed at 850 °C using pure CO2as the sweep gas.
Yu J, Sun L, Berrueco C, et al., 2018, Influence of temperature and particle size on structural characteristics of chars from Beechwood pyrolysis, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, Vol: 130, Pages: 127-134, ISSN: 0165-2370
This work investigates the effect of temperature and particle size on the product yields and structure of chars obtained from the pyrolysis of Beechwood Chips (BWC), a lignocellulosic biomass. BWC of three different size fractions (0.21-0.50 mm, 0.85-1.70 mm and 2.06-3.15 mm) were pyrolyzed at atmospheric pressure and temperatures ranging from 300 to 900 °C in a fixed bed reactor. Tar and gas yields increased with increasing temperature, while char yield decreased, particularly between 300 and 450 °C. The effect of particle size was mostly observed at temperatures lower than 400 °C as a larger char yield for larger particles due to intraparticle reactions. At higher temperatures the larger surface area in the char fixed bed favoured reactions increasing char and gas yields from the smaller particles. Pyrolysis chars were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Loss in oxygenated functional groups and aliphatic side chains with increasing temperature was revealed, along with an increase in the concentration of large aromatic systems, leading to a more ordered char structure but no significant graphitization. The changes in char nature at high temperature led to a loss in their combustion reactivity. Raman spectra indicated that the temperature needed to completely decompose the cellulose structure increased with biomass particle size and the enhanced intraparticle reactions in pyrolysis of large particles was likely to give rise to amorphous carbon structures with small fused ring systems.
Torres D, Arcelus-Arrillaga P, Millan M, et al., 2017, Enhanced reduction of few-layer graphene oxide via supercriticalwater gasification of glycerol, Nanomaterials, Vol: 7
© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. A sustainable and effective method for de-oxygenation of few-layer graphene oxide (FLGO) by glycerol gasification in supercritical water (SCW) is described. In this manner, reduction of FLGO and valorization of glycerol, in turn catalyzed by FLGO, are achieved simultaneously. The addition of glycerol enhanced FLGO oxygen removal by up to 59% due to the in situ hydrogen generation as compared to the use of SCW only. Physicochemical characterization of the reduced FLGO (rFLGO) showed a high restoration of the sp2-conjugated carbon network. FLGO sheets with a starting C/O ratio of 2.5 are reduced by SCW gasification of glycerol to rFLGO with a C/O ratio of 28.2, above those reported for hydrazine-based methods. Additionally, simultaneous glycerol gasification resulted in the concurrent production of H2, CO, CH4and valuable hydrocarbons such as alkylated and non-alkylated long chain hydrocarbon (C12–C31), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and phthalate, phenol, cresol and furan based compounds.
Arcelus-Arrillaga P, Hellgardt K, Millan M, 2017, Effect of process conditions on the hydrothermal partial oxidation of phenanthrene as a heavy oil model structure, FUEL, Vol: 209, Pages: 434-441, ISSN: 0016-2361
Pirou S, Bermudez JM, Hendriksen PV, et al., 2017, Stability and performance of robust dual-phase (ZrO<inf>2</inf>)<inf>0.89</inf>(Y<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>)<inf>0.01</inf>(Sc<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>)<inf>0.10</inf>-Al<inf>0.02</inf>Zn<inf>0.98</inf>O<inf>1.01</inf>oxygen transport membranes, Journal of Membrane Science, Vol: 543, Pages: 18-27, ISSN: 0376-7388
© 2017 Elsevier B.V. Dual-phase composite oxygen transport membranes consisting of 50 vol% Al0.02Zn0.98O1.01and 50 vol% (ZrO2)0.89(Y2O3)0.01(Sc2O3)0.10were successfully developed and tested. The applicability of the membrane in oxy-fuel power plants schemes involving direct exposure to flue gas was evaluated by exposing the membrane to gas streams containing CO2, SO2, H2O and investigating possible reactions between the membrane material and these gases. The analyses of the exposed composites by x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy revealed excellent stability. Additionally, an electrical conductivity measurement over 900 h confirmed that the composite is stable under prolonged exposure to CO2. However, an instability of the dual-phase membrane under oxygen partial pressures below PO2~10−4atm. was found. Oxygen permeation tests on a 1 mm thick self-standing membrane resulted in an oxygen flux of 0.33 mLNmin−1cm−2at 925 °C in air/N2. Stability tests in CO2with 3 vol% O2demonstrated the potential for the use of 10Sc1YSZ-AZO dual-phase membranes in oxy-combustion processes involving direct exposure to flue gas.
Arcelus-Arrillaga P, Pinilla JL, Hellgardt K, et al., 2017, Application of Water in Hydrothermal Conditions for Upgrading Heavy Oils: A Review, ENERGY & FUELS, Vol: 31, Pages: 4571-4587, ISSN: 0887-0624
Millán M, 2017, Effect of Metal Loading in NiMo/Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> Catalysts on Maya Vacuum Residue Hydrocracking, Energy and Fuels, Vol: 31, Pages: 4843-4850, ISSN: 0887-0624
© 2017 American Chemical Society. Hydrocracking catalysts with large porosity need to be developed to treat heavy oil feedstocks rich in large molecular weight components such as asphaltenes and withstand deactivation due to coke formation. In this work, catalysts were prepared by impregnation of varying NiMo loadings on a mesoporous Al2O3 support. The effect of metal loading on the hydrocracking of a vacuum residue at three temperatures (400, 425, and 450 °C) was studied in a batch microbomb reactor. Catalysts were reutilized in a second reaction with fresh feed to assess their activity following the initial period where results are dominated by a large carbon deposition. The textural properties and the coke content on the spent catalysts were evaluated after both reactions. It was found that the reaction temperature had an important effect on the conversion of the fraction with a boiling point above 450 °C, whereas metal loading had minimal impact. On the other hand, metal loading had a significant effect on hydrodeasphaltenization (HDA); higher asphaltene conversions were obtained with higher metal loading. Reaction temperature had an influence on HDA, particularly for lower metal loadings, as catalysts with higher loadings showed significant activity at the lower temperatures studied. It was observed that coke deposits were mainly formed during the initial hour of reaction with little additional coke being formed in the reutilization of the catalysts. More deposits were obtained at lower reaction temperature, as coke precursors, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polymerize into coke. No evidence of pore mouth plugging was observed, indicating that catalysts could accommodate coke while retaining most of their textural properties. Catalysts with higher metal loadings took longer to reach a stable amount of deposits, but they stabilized at an overall smaller coke deposition and retained significant HDA activity.
Yu J, Paterson N, Blamey J, et al., 2017, Cellulose, xylan and lignin interactions during pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, Fuel, Vol: 191, Pages: 140-149, ISSN: 0016-2361
The three primary lignocellulosic biomass components (cellulose, xylan and lignin), synthetic biomass samples (prepared by mixing the three primary components) and lignocellulosic biomass (oak, spruce and pine) were pyrolysed in a thermogravimetric analyser and a wire mesh reactor. Different reactivities were observed between the three biomass components. Cellulose mainly produced condensables and was less dependent on heating rate, while xylan and lignin contributed most char yields and were significantly affected by heating rate. While xylan and lignin pyrolysed over a large temperature range and showed the behaviour characteristic of solid fuels, cellulose decomposition is sharp in a narrow temperature range, a behaviour typical of linear polymers. Comparison of the pyrolysis behaviour of individual components with that of their synthetic mixtures showed that interactions between cellulose and the other two components take place, but no interaction was found between xylan and lignin. No obvious interaction occurred for synthetic mixtures and lignocellulosic biomass at 325 °C, before the beginning of cellulose pyrolysis, in slow and high heating rate. At higher pyrolysis temperatures, more char was obtained for synthetic mixtures containing cellulose compared to the estimated value based on the individual components and their proportions in the mixture. For lignocellulosic biomass, less char and more tar were obtained than predicted from the components, which may be associated with the morphology of samples. The porous structure of lignocellulosic biomass provided a release route for pyrolysis vapours.
Volpe R, Menendez JMB, Reina TR, et al., 2017, Evolution of chars during slow pyrolysis of citrus waste, Fuel Processing Technology, Vol: 158, Pages: 255-263, ISSN: 0378-3820
Conversion of agro-wastes into energy can be key to a circular-driven economy that could lead to models for sustainable production. Thermochemical processing is an interesting alternative for the upgrading of agro-wastes to energy. However, owing to the complex and largely unknown set of reactions occurring during thermal breakdown, to ensuring consistent quality of the final products is still a goal to achieve at industrial level. The present study investigates the evolution of solid products of pyrolysis, to gain some insights in these complexities. Chars derived from slow pyrolysis (200–650 °C) of citrus pulp in a horizontal reactor have been characterized by means of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results are discussed also in light of similarities with coal thermal breakdown. At temperatures below 300 °C, changes in solid matrix are mainly due to breaking of aliphatic compounds. Significant changes in char structure and behavior then occur between 300 °C and 500 °C mainly related to secondary char-tar reactions. Above 500 °C, changes appear to occur mainly due to recombination reactions within matrix, which thereby becomes progressively less reactive.
Remón J, Arcelus-Arrillaga P, Arauzo J, et al., 2017, Liquid and gas biofuels from the catalytic re-forming of pyrolysis bio-oil in supercritical water: Effects of operating conditions on the process, Mediterranean Green Buildings and Renewable Energy: Selected Papers from the World Renewable Energy Network's Med Green Forum, Pages: 479-490, ISBN: 9783319307459
This work analyses the influence of temperature (310-450 °C), pressure (200-260 bar), catalyst/bio-oil mass ratio (0-0.25 g catalyst/g bio-oil) and reaction time (0-60 min) during the re-forming in sub- and supercritical water of a bio-oil obtained from the fast pyrolysis of pinewood. The original liquid has a 39 wt.% of water and the following elemental composition in dry basis: 54 wt.% C, 3.3 wt.% H, 41.3 wt.% O, 0.8 wt.% N and 0.6 wt.% S. The upgrading experiments were carried out in a batch microbomb reactor employing a co-precipitated Ni-Co/Al-Mg catalyst. Statistical analysis of the re-forming results indicates that the operating conditions and the water regime (sub-/supercritical) have a significant influence on the process. Specifically, the yields to upgraded bio-oil (liquid), gas and solid vary in ranges of 5-90 %, 7-91% and 3-31% respectively. The gas phase, having a medium-high lower heating value (2-17 MJ/STP m3), is made up of a mixture of H2 (9-31 vol.%), CO2 (41-84 vol.%), CO (1-22 vol.%) and CH4 (1-45 vol.%). Depending on the operating conditions, the amount of C, H and O (wt.%) in the upgraded bio-oil varies in ranges of 48-74, 4-9 and 13-48 respectively. This represents an increase of up to 42 and 152% in the proportions of C and H respectively, as well as a decrease of up to 69% in the proportion of O. The higher heating value (HHV) of the treated bio-oil varies from 20 to 32 MJ/kg, which corresponds to an increase of up to 68% with respect to the HHV of the original bio-oil.
Remón J, Arcelus-Arrillaga P, Arauzo J, et al., 2017, Pyrolysis bio-oil upgrading to renewable liquid fuels by catalytic hydrocracking: Effect of operating conditions on the process, Mediterranean Green Buildings and Renewable Energy: Selected Papers from the World Renewable Energy Network's Med Green Forum, Pages: 491-500, ISBN: 9783319307459
This work analyses the influence of operating conditions during the catalytic hydrocracking of a bio-oil obtained from the fast pyrolysis of pinewood. The original liquid has a 39 wt.% of water and the following elemental composition in dry basis: 54 wt.% C, 3.3 wt.% H, 41.3 wt.% O, 0.8 wt.% N and 0.6 wt.% S. Experiments were carried out in a batch microbomb reactor employing a co-precipitated Ni-Co/Al-Mg catalyst. They were planned according to a full factorial design of experiments with a statistical analysis of the results in order to analyse the effects of temperature (350-450 °C), hydrogen pressure (70-150 bar), catalyst/bio-oil mass ratio (0-0.25 g catalyst/g organics), reaction time (0-60 min) and all interactions between these operating variables on the process. Statistical analysis of the results indicates that the operating conditions have a statistically significant effect on the results. Specifically, the yields to upgraded bio-oil (liquid), gas and solid vary in ranges of 3-97 %, 0-86% and 3-41% respectively. Depending on the operating conditions, the amount of C, H and O (wt.%) in the upgraded bio-oil varies in ranges of 50-82, 3.5-8.3 and 9-44 respectively. This represents an increase of up to 52 and 150% in the proportion of C and H respectively, as well as a decrease of up to 78% in the proportion of O. The higher heating value of the treated bio-oil varies from 19 to 37 MJ/kg, which is considerably higher than that of the original bio-oil.
Remón J, Arauzo J, García L, et al., 2016, Bio-oil upgrading in supercritical water using Ni-Co catalysts supported on carbon nanofibres, Fuel Processing Technology, Vol: 154, Pages: 178-187, ISSN: 0378-3820
This work addresses the preparation, characterisation and screening of different Ni-Co catalysts supported on carbon nanofibres (CNFs) for use in the upgrading of bio-oil in supercritical water. The aim is to improve the physicochemical properties of bio-oil so that it can be used as a fuel. The CNFs were firstly oxidised in HNO3 and afterwards subjected to a thermal treatment to selectively modify their surface chemistry prior to the incorporation of the metal active phase (Ni-Co). The CNFs and the supported catalysts were thoroughly characterised by several techniques, which allowed a relationship to be established between the catalyst properties and the upgrading results. The use of Ni-Co/CNFs for bio-oil upgrading in supercritical water (SCW) significantly improved the properties of the original feedstock. In addition, the thermal treatment to which the fibres were subjected exerted a significant influence on their catalytic properties. An increase in the severity of the thermal treatment led to a substantial reduction in the oxygen content of the CNFs, mainly due to the removal of the less stable oxygen surface groups, which allowed their surface polarity to decrease. This decrease resulted in less formation of solid products. However, it also reduced the H/C and increased the O/C ratios of the upgraded liquid. Therefore, a compromise between the yield and the properties of the upgraded bio-oil was achieved with a Ni-Co supported on a CNF with a moderate amount of oxygen surface groups.
Deonarine B, Ji G, Smart S, et al., 2016, Ultra-microporous membrane separation using toluene to simulate tar-containing gases, Fuel Processing Technology, Vol: 161, Pages: 259-264, ISSN: 0378-3820
This study investigates the performance of ultra-microporous cobalt oxide silica membranes for processing simulated gas streams containing toluene as a model tar compound in gasification. The performance of the membranes was initially investigated for He (simulating H 2 ), CO 2 , N 2 and Ar in a range of temperatures. Subsequently, toluene was added to a gas mixture containing He and tested to simulate the effect of toluene as a tar compound in gasification. The membranes delivered molecular sieving features, showing activated transport as the permeation of the smaller molecular gas He increased with temperature whilst the permeation decreased for the other larger molecular gases. Prior to toluene exposure, He permeance increased by almost twofold from 3.6 × 10 − 8 to 7.1 × 10 − 8 mol m − 2 s − 1 Pa − 1 as the temperature was raised from 50 to 200 °C. Under a feed gas containing 0.24 mol% toluene, He permeance decreased by an average value of 17%. Upon regeneration of the membrane by heat, He permeance was not fully recovered, a clear indication of tar fouling. A toluene balance calculation showed toluene being retained by the membrane.
Volpe R, Messineo A, Millan M, 2016, Carbon reactivity in biomass thermal breakdown, Fuel, Vol: 183, Pages: 139-144, ISSN: 0016-2361
The thermochemical behavior of dry grape residues was assessed during pyrolysis experiments in a horizontal batch reactor. Grape marc (a mix of 50% seeds and 50% skins w/w% db) was pyrolysed during slow heating experiments (50 °C min−1) in a quartz reactor to peak temperatures between 150 and 650 °C, under a continuous flow of nitrogen (1.5 L min−1). Solids recovered after treatments (chars) were then subject to thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) in order to assess the reactivity of the carbon contained in them. Results on chars showed a linear increase of fixed carbon (FC) with reaction peak temperature. Elemental analyses on chars showed a consistent linear increase of Carbon (C) and a linear decrease of Oxygen (O) with reaction peak temperature. On the contrary, the Hydrogen (H) content remained relatively constant to approximately 325 °C and then decreased steadily as the reaction temperature was raised further. The reactivity of C in solids was investigated by definition of an index ρ(C), which was shown to remain approximately constant up to 325 °C and then significantly decrease above that temperature. The decrease of C reactivity initially related to the release of the more reactive C within the volatiles and then (for higher reaction temperatures) was shown to be mainly related to deactivation reactions within the solids. A correlation was shown between C reactivity and the release of H from thermal breakdown. As long as H concentration in solids remains constant (for reaction peak temperatures up to 325 °C), C reactivity remains close to the value found for raw feedstock. Then, between 325 and 400 °C, H content in solids decreases by 1.5% (w/w daf) and C reactivity drastically drops by 50%. This trend continues up to the highest reaction peak temperature tested (650 °C), for which the H content in solids is approximately 2% (w/w daf) and C reactivity drops by 70%. Elaboration of results from previous experiments o
Reina TR, Yeletsky P, Bermúdez JM, et al., 2016, Anthracene aquacracking using NiMo/SiO<inf>2</inf> catalysts in supercritical water conditions, Fuel, Vol: 182, Pages: 740-748, ISSN: 0016-2361
A series of effective NiMo/SiO2 catalysts for heavy oil upgrading in supercritical water have been developed. Experimental results with anthracene as model compound resembling structures present in heavy oils showed that the catalytic activity as well as the liquid and gas product distributions are governed by catalyst composition. In particular by adjusting the Ni/Mo ratio different physicochemical properties (crystalline phase composition, particle size and catalysts reducibility) are obtained, which have influence on catalytic behavior. A variety of liquid products together with a valuable gas (rich in H2) are produced in this process, which takes place with remarkably low coke deposition on the catalysts. Overall, the results derived from this work confirm the viability of upgrading polyaromatic structures in supercritical water using Ni-Mo catalysts and provides an insight on the main parameters to control in catalyst design.
Gargiulo V, Apicella B, Stanzione F, et al., 2016, Structural Characterization of Large Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Part 2: Solvent-Separated Fractions of Coal Tar Pitch and Naphthalene-Derived Pitch, Energy and Fuels, Vol: 30, Pages: 2574-2583, ISSN: 0887-0624
Complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures separated from a coal tar pitch (CP) and naphthalene pitch (NP) by sequential extraction with heptane and toluene were characterized in detail by applying a multiarray analytical approach. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOFMS), and thermogravimetry (TG) were used to relate the volatility and coking yield of pitch components to their solubility and molecular weight distribution. Spectroscopic analysis, including infrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), and fluorescence spectroscopy, proved to be useful for measuring specific features of aromatic systems, such as the aromatic content, degree of aliphatic substitution, and size distribution of PAHs of different molecular weights. In particular, it has been shown that the spectroscopic analysis is an essential tool for characterizing very large PAH systems concentrated in the pitch toluene-insoluble fraction. This fraction constitutes a case study of very large, structurally different aromatic compounds, and it is the pitch fraction more relevant for practical applications because of its higher coking tendency and peculiar optical properties.
Millan M, Arcelus-Arrillaga P, Hellgardt K, 2016, Coal to liquids by oxidative cracking in near-critical and super-critical water
Millan M, Lorente E, Boldrin P, et al., 2016, Integration of gasification and fuel cells: Interaction between the anode and contaminants in the syngas
Fouling due to carbon deposition on the fuel cell anode reduces the performance of the cell. • The addition of steam above S/C of 1 was found to reduce carbon deposition from tars but not fully suppress coke formation. • A combination of high S/C=ratio and current density may effectively inhibit carbon formation, maintaining cell performance. • Benzene and toluene represent a "worst-case scenario" as tar models and light fractions are more likely to produce carbon deposits.
Gargiulo V, Apicella B, Alfè M, et al., 2015, Structural Characterization of Large Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Part 1: The Case of Coal Tar Pitch and Naphthalene-Derived Pitch, Energy and Fuels, Vol: 29, Pages: 5714-5722, ISSN: 0887-0624
The different thermal behaviors and solubilities of large and structurally different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures featuring coal tar pitch (CP) and naphthalene synthetic pitch (NP) samples could be read in light of their different molecular weight (MW) distribution and spectroscopic features. The number-average MW obtained by mass spectrometry for CP (417 Da) and NP (691 Da) resulted to be lower in comparison to the values evaluated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) (796 and 824 Da for CP and NP, respectively) because of the different response of the detector of mass spectrometry to low- and high-MW components. Hence, SEC showed to be more suitable for the analysis of PAH mixtures overlapping and covering a higher mass range in comparison to mass spectrometry. Insights into structural PAH features were given by means of spectroscopic analysis [infrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), and fluorescence], allowing for the discrimination between different families of PAHs as ortho-fused PAHs and rylenes interspersed with aliphatic (mainly naphthenic) groups, mainly featuring CP and NP, respectively. Besides showing the different aromaticity and aliphatic/aromatic hydrogen distribution, the improvement of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-vis absorption analysis put also in evidence the contribution of carbon-rich particle impurities and PAH aggregates in CP and NP, respectively.
Puron H, Pinilla JL, Suelves I, et al., 2015, Acid treated carbon nanofibers as catalytic support for heavy oil hydroprocessing, CATALYSIS TODAY, Vol: 249, Pages: 79-85, ISSN: 0920-5861
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- Citations: 8
Fidalgo B, Berrueco C, Millan M, 2015, Chars from agricultural wastes as greener fuels for electric arc furnaces, JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS, Vol: 113, Pages: 274-280, ISSN: 0165-2370
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- Citations: 21
Volpe R, Messineo A, Milian M, et al., 2015, Assessment of olive wastes as energy source: pyrolysis, torrefaction and the key role of H loss in thermal breakdown, ENERGY, Vol: 82, Pages: 119-127, ISSN: 0360-5442
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- Citations: 61
Reina TR, Yeletsky P, Bermúdez JM, et al., 2015, Anthracene aquacracking using NiMo/SiO<inf>2</inf> catalysts in supercritical water conditions, Pages: 559-565
Pinilla JL, Puron H, Torres D, et al., 2015, Ni-MoS2 supported on carbon nanofibers as hydrogenation catalysts: effect of support functionalisation, Carbon, Vol: 81, Pages: 574-586, ISSN: 0008-6223
Fishbone carbon nanofibers (CNF) were functionalised in acidic media using nitric or nitric/sulfuric mixtures in order to introduce variations in their surface chemistry. The textural properties and surface chemistry of the functionalised CNF were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Functionalised CNF thus prepared were used as catalytic support for NiMo catalysts. Resulting catalysts were composed by CNF coaxially coated by Ni-decorated MoS2 slabs, with different lengths and stacking degrees as a function of the functionalisation treatment, as TEM study revealed. Catalysts were evaluated in the hydrogenation of anthracene, a model compound representing polyaromatic groups present in heavy oil fractions. Catalysts prepared with the support functionalised by the less severe treatment, which led to short and defective MoS2 slabs, showed higher hydrogenation activity. On the other hand, harsher functionalisation treatment led to the formation of long stacked MoS2 slabs, resulting in lower performance towards anthracene hydrogenation.
Boldrin P, Millan-Agorio M, Brandon NP, 2015, Effect of Sulfur- and Tar-Contaminated Syngas on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Materials, ENERGY & FUELS, Vol: 29, Pages: 442-446, ISSN: 0887-0624
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- Citations: 21
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