Chemical Engineering Commons^™

Fe Supported Alumina Catalyst For Methane Decomposition: Effect Of Co Coupling, Anis H. Fakeeha, Ahmed A. Ibrahim, Ahmed S. Al-Fatesh, Wasim Ullah Khan, Yahya A. Mohammed, Ahmed E. Abasaeed, Moustafa A. Soliman, Raja L. Al-Otaibi

Chemical Engineering

In recent years hydrogen production received enormous attention, since it is an environmentally friendly, energy source. The aim of this research was to examine the hydrogen production with the help of methane’s catalytic decomposition. 30% Fe coupled with different % of Co over alumina support, were examined by catalytic decomposition of methane for the production of hydrogen. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The catalytic activity results revealed that the catalysts, coupled 15%Co gave the highest conversion of 72.5% as depicted by the three hour time on stream profile. The fresh and spent catalysts were characterized using different techniques …

Thermo-Catalytic Methane Decomposition: A Review Of State Of The Art Of Catalysts, Ahmed A. Ibrahim, Ahmed S. Al-Fatesh, Wasim Ullah Khan, Moustafa A. Soliman, Raja L. Al-Otaibi, Anis H. Fakeeha

Chemical Engineering

The catalytic methane decomposition to produce carbon oxides–free hydrogen and carbon nanomaterial is a promising method feasible for larger production at a moderate cheap price. The produced hydrogen is refined and can be employed straight in fuel cell and in petrochemical industries to produce ammonia and methanol. Auto-thermal reforming of natural gas, partial oxidation, steam reforming are the conventional techniques for hydrogen production in industry, though these processes incur excessive costs for the purification of hydrogen from producing carbon oxides. Current research work on thermo-catalytic methane decomposition has concentrated on promoting the catalytic activity and stability for simultaneous production of …

Computational Study Of Sodium Magnesium Hydride For Hydrogen Storage Applications, Fernando Antonio Soto Valle

Doctoral Dissertations

Hydrogen offers considerable potential benefits as an energy carrier. However, safe and convenient storage of hydrogen is one of the biggest challenges to be resolved in the near future. Sodium magnesium hydride (NaMgH 3) has attracted attention as a hydrogen storage material due to its light weight and high volumetric hydrogen density of 88 kg/m3. Despite the advantages, hydrogen release in this material occurs at approximately 670 K, which is well above the operable range for on-board hydrogen storage applications. In this regard, hydrogen release may be facilitated by substitution doping of transition-metals. This dissertation describes first-principles computational methods that …

An Oxidase-Based Electrochemical Fluidic Sensor With High-Sensitivity And Low-Interference By On-Chip Oxygen Manipulation, Nitin Radhakrishnan, Jongwon Park, Chang Soo Kim

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Utilizing a simple fluidic structure, we demonstrate the improved performance of oxidase-Based enzymatic biosensors. Electrolysis of water is utilized to generate bubbles to manipulate the oxygen microenvironment close to the biosensor in a fluidic channel. for the proper enzyme reactions to occur, a simple mechanical procedure of manipulating bubbles was developed to maximize the oxygen level while minimizing the pH change after electrolysis. the sensors show improved sensitivities based on the oxygen dependency of enzyme reaction. in addition, this oxygen-rich operation minimizes the ratio of electrochemical interference signal by ascorbic acid during sensor operation (i.e., amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide). …

Copper-Cobalt Catalysts For Conversion Of Syngas To Ethanol And Higher Alcohols, Miranda Louise Smith

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Higher alcohols produced by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas are potential octane enhancers for transportation fuels. Copper-cobalt catalysts have emerged as alternatives to the ethanol-selective, but expensive, rhodium-based ones. The reducibility of the catalyst and the CO adsorption mode are important factors in directing the selectivity of CO hydrogenation toward methanol, hydrocarbons, or higher alcohols. In this study, Cu/SiO2, Co/SiO2, and bimetallic CuCo/SiO2 catalysts, as well as their tin-promoted analogues, were synthesized and characterized by TPR, in situ XRD, in situ XANES, and in situ DRIFTS. Cobalt addition to Cu/SiO2 created an amorphous fraction of CuO that was more easily …

Effect Of Water Transport On The Production Of Hydrogen And Sulfuric Acid In A Pem Electrolyzer, John A. Staser, John W. Weidner

Faculty Publications

The thermochemical cycle involving the interconversion between sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid is a promising method for efficient, large-scale production of hydrogen. A key step in the process is the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid in an electrolyzer. Gaseous SO₂ fed to a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer was previously investigated and was shown to be a promising system for the electrolysis step. A critical factor in the performance of this gas-fed electrolyzer is the management of water since it: (i) is needed as a reactant, (ii) determines the product sulfuric acid concentration, …

H2-Rich Syngas From Renewable Sources By Dual Fluidized Bed Steam Gasification Of Solid Biomass, Christoph Pfeifer, Tobias Pröll, Bernhard Puchner, Hermann Hofbauer

The 12th International Conference on Fluidization - New Horizons in Fluidization Engineering

Steam gasification of solid biomass yields high quality producer gases that can be used for efficient combined heat and power production (CHP) and as a renewable resource for chemical syntheses. The dual fluidized bed steam gasification technology provides the necessary heat for steam gasification by circulating hot bed material that is heated in a second fluidized bed reactor by combustion of residual biomass char. The hydrogen content in producer gas of such gasifiers is about 40 vol% (dry basis). Addition of carbonates to the bed material and adequate adjustment of operation temperatures in the reactors allow selective transport of CO2 …

Supercritical-Carbon Dioxide-Assisted Cyclic Deposition Of Metal Oxide And Metal Thin Films, Dipak Barua, Theodosia Gougousi, Erin D. Young, Gregory N. Parsons

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thin films of aluminum oxide and palladium were deposited on silicon at low temperatures (70-120 °C) by a cyclic adsorption/reaction processes using supercritical CO₂ solvent. Precursors included Al(hfac)₃, Al(acac)₃, and Pd(hfac)₂, and aqueous H₂O₂, tert-butyl peracetate, and H₂ were used as the oxidants or reductants. For the precursors studied, growth proceeds through a multilayer precursor adsorption in each deposition cycle, and film thickness increased linearly with the number of growth cycles.

Dynamic Sulfur Tolerant Process And System With Inline Acid Gas-Selective Removal For Generating Hydrogen For Fuel Cells, Surjit Randhava, W. S. Winston Ho, Richard L. Kao, Elias H. Camara

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

This invention relates to a sulfur tolerant, dynamic, compact, lightweight fuel process and system that is capable of converting sulfur bearing carbonaceous fuels to hydrogen rich gases suitable for fuel cells or chemical processing applications. The process and system is based on the AHR and WGS reactions, followed by cleanup of byproduct sulfur-containing gases and carbon oxides that would otherwise poison the fuel cell electrocatalyst. Advantageously, this is accomplished via an ASMS and a methanator or an AWMR. The process and system preferably uses a special sulfur tolerant catalysts and hardware designs that enable the conversion in an energy efficient …

Production Hydrogen And Nanocarbon Via Methane Decomposition Using Ni-Based Catalysts. Effect Of Acidity And Catalyst Diameter, Widodo W. Purwanto, M. Nasikin, E. Saputra, L. Song

Makara Journal of Technology

Objectives of this research are mainly to study impacts of acidity strength (by varying amount of precipitant and loading Al-Si) and the effect of nickel particle size (by varying calcinations temperature) on decomposition reaction performances. In this research, high-nickel-loaded catalyst is prepared with two methods. Ni-Cu/Al catalysts were prepared with co-precipitation method. While the Ni-Cu/Al-Si catalyst were prepared by combined co-precipitation and sol-gel method. The direct cracking of methane was performed in 8mm quartz fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure and 500-700°C. The main results showed that the Al content of catalyst increases with the increasing amount of precipitant. The …

Catalytic Conversion Of Hydrocarbons To Hydrogen And High-Value Carbon, Naresh Shah, Devadas Panjala, Gerald P. Huffman

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention provides novel catalysts for accomplishing catalytic decomposition of undiluted light hydrocarbons to a hydrogen product, and methods for preparing such catalysts. In one aspect, a method is provided for preparing a catalyst by admixing an aqueous solution of an iron salt, at least one additional catalyst metal salt, and a suitable oxide substrate support, and precipitating metal oxyhydroxides onto the substrate support. An incipient wetness method, comprising addition of aqueous solutions of metal salts to a dry oxide substrate support, extruding the resulting paste to pellet form, and calcining the pellets in air is also discloses. In …

Modeling Of A Nickel-Hydrogen Cell: Phase Reactions In The Nickel Active Material, B. Wu, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Self‐Discharge Model Of A Nickel‐Hydrogen Cell, B. Wu, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fuel Cells, Frederick J. Munster Jr.

Maine Collection

Fuel Cells

by Frederick J. Munster Jr.

Edited by: Mr. Christopher Carroll

Maine Department of Economic Development, Augusta, Maine, 1998.

Contents: Hydrogen / Hydrogen Safety / Electrolysis / Electrolyzers / History of Fuel Cells / How Fuel Cells Operate / Fuel Cell Types / Fuel Cell Electrochemistry / Power Systems / Fuel Cells in Transportation / Hydrogen Powered Internal Combustion Engines / Home, Garden, Education and Industry / For More Information / Glossary / References

The Effects Of Multiple Electroplated Zinc Layers On The Inhibition Of Hydrogen Permeation Through An Iron Membrane, D. H. Coleman, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The Devanathan-Stachurski permeation technique was used to investigate the rate of hydrogen permeation through an iron membrane with consecutively electroplated zinc layers. Hydrogen evolution rates and hydrogen permeation rates were followed as functions of time at different applied potentials. Hydrogen evolution and permeation decreased with each successive zinc layer until finally reaching an average decrease of 93 and 96%, respectively, as compared with bare iron. Hydrogen surface coverage, exchange current density, absorption-adsorption reaction constant, and hydrogen recombination constant were estimated on bare iron and on zinc-plated iron. It was found that the decrease in the permeation rate of hydrogen through …

Determination Of Transport And Electrochemical Kinetic Parameters Of Bare And Copper-Coated Lani4.27Sn0.24 Electrodes In Alkaline Solution, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Electrochemical properties of bare and copper-coated LaNi_4.27Sn_0.24 electrodes were investigated in alkaline solution. The exchange current density, polarization resistance, and equilibrium potential were determined as functions of the state of charge in the electrodes. The symmetry factors for bare and copper-coated electrodes were estimated to be 0.53 and 0.52, respectively. By using a constant current discharge technique, the hydrogen diffusion coefficient in bare and coated LaNi_4.27Sn_0.24 was estimated to be 6.75 × 10^–11 cm²/s.

Use Of A Hydrogen Anode For Nitrate Waste Destruction, E. E. Kalu, Ralph E. White, D. T. Hobbs

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Multiphase Mathematical Model Of A Nickel/Hydrogen Cell, Pauline De Vidts

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Hydrogen-Atom Direct-Entry Mechanism Into Metal Membranes, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The hydrogen-atom direct-entry mechanism is used to explain why the steady-state hydrogen permeation current density through a metal membrane is directly proportional to the cathodic current density, i_c, and is independent of the membrane thickness when i_c is small.

Electrochemical Determination Of The Diffusion Coefficient Of Hydrogen Through An Lani4.25Al0.75 Electrode In Alkaline Aqueous Solution, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Theconstant potential and constant current discharge techniques were used todetermine the hydrogen diffusion coefficients in an LaNi_4.25Al_0.75 electrode. The valuesobtained were 2.97 × 10^–11 and 3.30 × 10^–11 cm²/s, respectively. The advantages and disadvantages of these two techniques are discussed.

Electrochemical Determination Of The Diffusion Coefficient Of Hydrogen Through An Lani4.25Al0.75 Electrode In Alkaline Aqueous Solution, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The constant potential and constant current discharge techniques were used to determine the hydrogen diffusion coefficients in an LaNi_4.25Al_0.75 electrode. The values obtained were 2.97 × 10^–11 and 3.30 × 10^–11 cm²/s, respectively. The advantages and disadvantages of these two techniques are discussed.

Theoretical Analysis Of The Discharge Performance Of A Niooh/H2 Cell, Z. Mao, P. De Vidts, Ralph E. White, John Newman

Faculty Publications

A mathematical model is presented for the discharge of a NiOOH/H₂ cell. This model includes diffusion and migration in the electrolyte phase as well as proton diffusion and ohmic drop across the solid active material in the porous nickelelectrode. A theoretical analysis of the cell performance is presented for different design parameters using this model. It is predicted that proton diffusion in the solid active material is the main factor in limiting the cell voltage and the utilizationof the active material. It is also predicted that use of a thick nickel electrode is an effective method for increasing electrode …

Thermal Characteristics Of A Nickel-Hydrogen Battery, Junbom Kim, T. V. Nguyen, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The maximum allowable temperature difference inside a nickel-hydrogen battery to avoid water relocation was calculated by using a graphical method together with a vapor pressure vs. temperature correlation equation for water vapor over potassium hydroxide solution. An equation was developed for this maximum allowable temperature difference for vessel-wall temperatures from 0 to 30°C and potassium hydroxide concentrations from 20 to 32%. A heat-generation equation for the nickel-hydrogen battery was used to investigate the effect of the location of heat generation on the maximum temperature in the cell and the temperature distribution in the cell.

The Role Of Thallium As A Hydrogen Entry Promoter On Cathodically Polarized Hy-130 Steel, G. Zheng, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Hydrogen permeation experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of thallium on hydrogen entry into HY-130steel. These experiments show that the presence of thallium ions in an electrolyte drastically increase the hydrogen entry rate. The hydrogen entry efficiency and hydrogen surface coverage were increased by a factor of 10 and 6, respectively. In order to fit the permeation experimental data, the Iyer-Pickering-Zamanzadeh (I-P-Z) hydrogen permeation model was modified by including a mass-transfer term in the discharging equation. The relationship between hydrogen permeation and the hydrogen evolution reaction were investigated and new relationships were obtained.

Hydrogen Diffusion, Solubility, And Water Uptake In Dow's Short-Side-Chain Perfluorocarbon Membranes, Yu-Min Tsou, M. C. Kimble, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Hydrogen gas diffusion coefficients and solubilities as well as water uptake values are reported for Dow's short-side-chain perfluoro-sulfonic and -carboxylic membranes of different equivalent weight (EW). The diffusion coefficients and solubilities were determined with an electrochemical test cell. Hydrogen solubility decreases with increasing EW in the lower EW range and tends to level off at higher EWs for both types of membranes. Both hydrogen solubility and diffusion coefficients of a sulfonic membrane with EW higher than 800 are higher than the corresponding values of a carboxylic membrane of similar EW. An unusual maximum is observed in the diffusion coefficient-EW plot …

Kinetic Mechanism Of The Reactions Of Dichloromethane And Chloroform With Atomic Hydrogen At Low Pressure And Room Temperature, Jia-Ling Linda Young

Theses

The reaction mechanism of dichloromethane reaction (DCM) with atomic hydrogen in a flow reactor at room temper¬ature (300 K) and low pressure (2.1 - 2.7 torr), argon bath gas, has been developed in this research to analyze the above reaction system. The important addition reactions of radicals (or atoms) to olefins and the radical/radical (atom/radical) combination reactions have been analyzed using the bimolecular version of the Quantum-Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel (QRRK) theory.

The detailed reaction mechanism satisfactorily fits the experimental data for the reagent (DCM) conversion from previous experimental over a initial ratio (atomic hydrogen to dichloromethane) range of 6.8 to 40. The …

Thermal Decomposition Of Chlorobenzene Reaction With Hydrogen And Oxygen Mixture In An Atmosphere, Chun-Chen Yang

Theses

The thermal reactions of chlorobenzene in hydrogen and oxygen mixtures were studied in tubular flow reactors at 1 atmosphere total pressure. Experiments were carried out in flow reactors of varied diameter for determining effects of different surface to volume ratios. Residence times ranged from 0.03 to 2.5 seconds and temperature was varied over a range of 560 - 660 °C. The 02/H2 ratios ranged from 1% to 5%.

It was found that the conversion of chlorobenzene in hydrogen and oxygen mixtures increased with both temperature and residence time. The oxidation of chlorobenzene also occurred more rapidly when oxygen concentraction was …

Formation Of Light Hydrocarbons And Soot In The Pyrolysis Reactions Of Chloro, Dichlorobenzene, Acetylene And Benzene In An Atmosphere Of Hydrogen, Larry Jiyuan Zhu

Theses

The kinetics of thermal decomposition of chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene in a hydrogen and helium atmosphere were further studied to investigate formation of soot and light hydrocarbons. The experiments were performed at atmosphere pressure with residence times rangeing from 0.2 to 1.2 seconds, and the temperature ranges of 850°C to 925°C for chlorobenzene and 870°C to 910°C for dichlorobenzene. Flame ionization detectors, which were connected to GC columns, were utilized for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the reaction products. A methyl silicone capillary column was used analyzing of heavy aromatics and a Carbosive G was used to analyze light hydrocarbons. …

Electrodeposition Of Copper-Nickel Alloys From Citrate Solutions On A Rotating Disk Electrode, Ramona Y. Ying, Patrick K. Ng, Z. Mao, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A mathematical model is developed to simulate the electrodeposition of Cu-Ni alloy from citrate solutions onto a rotating disk electrode under potentiostatic control. The model includes the influence of diffusion, ionic migration, forced convection, and homogeneous equilibria. The three major electrochemical reactions treated in the model are copper deposition, nickel deposition, and hydrogen evolution. Using experimental parameters when available, the model was fitted and tested against experimentally-obtained results for different bath compositions and operating conditions. The model agreed reasonably well with the experimental results particularly in the codeposition region, –1.0 to –1.2V vs. SCE, where hydrogen evolution is not the …

Reaction Of Hydrogen With Methylene Chloride And Carbon Tetrachloride At High Temperature, Hun Tsao

Theses

The reactions of methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride in hydrogen in the temperature range 500 - 1000° C were studied using tubular flow reactors of three diameters. (ID: 0.40, 1.05, 1.60 cm). Residence time range was from 0.3 to 3.5 seconds. Temperature profiles of the reactors was kept within +/- 5° C of central 85% for the 18 inch long reactor, at a total pressure of 1 atmosphere. No chlorinated hydrocarbon products were observed at or above 950° C. The major products in this temperature range were CH4, C2H₂, C2H₄, C2H₆ and HCl.

The pseudo …