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KOSK-Katalyse og organisk syntetisk kjemi

Gas Conversion to Fuels and Chemicals

Awarded: NOK 6.3 mill.

Natural gas has become an abundant hydrocarbon fuel and chemical feedstock and promises to remain so. Utilizing this resource with minimum environmental impact is a major challenge to Catalysis. Methane can be converted to fuels and chemicals in two ways, either via synthesis gas or directly to C2-hydrocarbons or methanol. Despite heavy research efforts over the last 2 decades in developing direct conversion processes, no real breakthrough has been made so far. Commercial processes for methane conversion are therefore mainly based on synthesis gas (CO and/or H2). Primary processes for conversion of natural gas components are usually carried out at high temperatures. The processes for production of synthesis gas and hydrogen (steam/autothermal reforming, partial oxidation), dehydrogenation of C3 - C 4 alkanes, catalytic combustion and steam cracking are all examples of processes carried out at high temperatures. The above list should also be augmented by new process concepts such as partial oxidation of C2 - C4 alkanes to olefins and synthesis gas, oxidative coupling of CH4 and even conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen for fuel cells. These are all catalytic processes carried out on the surface of solid materials or they may involve a combination of surface an d gas phase reactions. Secondary processes for conversion of natural gas involve reactions based on synthesis gas and lower olefins. The lower olefins are the main building blocks for the petrochemical industry and are usually not included in the term gas conversion. Large scal e conversion of natural gas to liquid products (GTL; Gas-To-Liquids technology) includes the Fischer-Tropsch and methanol synthesis. Other products and in particular oxygenated products, may also be produced from synthesis gas at a relatively large scale. Projects at NTNU/SINTEF starting in 2003 1. Selective catalytic oxidation of hydrogen - NTNU. The purpose of the proposed project is to educate one dr.-ing.-student through a research project addressing the selective catalytic combustion of hydrogen in the presence of hydrocarbons with the purpose of providing in situ heating for the very endoth ermic catalytic dehydrogenation of light alkanes. Project leader: Edd A. Blekkan, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, NTNU. Dr.ing. candidate: NN. Project period: 2003 - 2006. 2. Sorption enhanced reaction process in a moving bed monolith reactor for production of hydrogen - NTNU. The main goal is to develop a new type of reactor for one-step hydrogen production. The focus is on the sorption enhanced steam reforming reactions by selectivily removing CO2. Project leader: De Chen, Dept of Chemical Engineering, NTNU Dr.ing. candidate: NN. Project period: 2003-2006. 3. The role of support for Co-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts - NTNU. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is an important part of most natural gas conversion (GTL) process developments in recent years. The aim of the project is to study the behavior of cobalt catalysts supported on different oxides in order to obtain information abou t support effects on the performance of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Project leader: Anders Holmen, Dept of Chemical Engineering, NTNU. Dr.ing. candidate: NN. Project period: 2003 - 2006. 4. MEMS-based catalyst/reactor systems for production of hydrogen from methanol for miniaturised power - SINTEF. The main objective is to develop a MEMS-based microchannel catalyst/reactor system for production of hydrogen from methanol. Catalyst coatings applied to the microchannel walls are to be developed and implemented. This will be a joint effort between SINTE F Applied Chemistry, SINTEF Electronics and Cybernetics, NTNU and the Norwegian Nano- and Microtechnology Centre. Project manager: Hilde Venvik, SINTEF Applied Chemistry Co-ordinator at NMC/SINTEF ECY Microsystems: Anders Hanneborg Project period: 2003-2006

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KOSK-Katalyse og organisk syntetisk kjemi

Thematic Areas and Topics

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