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Harkou E, Hafeez S, Adamou P, Zhang Z, Tsiotsias AI, Charisiou ND, Goula MA, Al-Salem SM, Manos G, Constantinou A. Different reactor configurations for enhancement of CO 2 methanation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116760. [PMID: 37507039 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Greenhouse gas emissions are a massive concern for scientists to minimize the effect of global warming in the environment. In this study, packed bed, coated wall, and membrane reactors were investigated using three novel nickel catalysts for the methanation of CO2. CFD modelling methodologies were implemented to develop 2D models. The validity of the model was investigated in a previous study where experimental and simulated results in a packed bed reactor were in a good agreement. It was observed that the coated wall reactor had poorer performance compared to the packed bed, approximately 30% difference between the results, as the residence time of the former was lower. In addition, two membrane configurations were proposed, including a membrane packed bed and membrane coated wall reactor. Additional studies were performed in the coated wall reactor revealing that lower flow rates lead to higher conversion values. As for the bed thickness the optimum layer was found to be 1 mm. In both membrane reactor configurations, the effect of the thickness of M1 membrane, which indicates the membrane for the removal of H2O, didn't show difference while the reduction of the thickness of M2 membrane, which indicates the membrane for the removal of CO2, H2 and H2O, showed better results in terms of conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleana Harkou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol, 3036, Cyprus
| | - Sanaa Hafeez
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E14NS, UK
| | - Panayiota Adamou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol, 3036, Cyprus
| | - Zhien Zhang
- WilliamG. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineerig, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Anastasios I Tsiotsias
- Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR-50100, Greece
| | - Nikolaos D Charisiou
- Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR-50100, Greece
| | - Maria A Goula
- Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR-50100, Greece
| | - S M Al-Salem
- Environmental & Life Sciences Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
| | - George Manos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London, WCIE7JE, UK
| | - Achilleas Constantinou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol, 3036, Cyprus.
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2
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Harkou E, Adamou P, Georgiou K, Hafeez S, Al-Salem SM, Villa A, Manos G, Dimitratos N, Constantinou A. Computational Studies on Microreactors for the Decomposition of Formic Acid for Hydrogen Production Using Heterogeneous Catalysts. Molecules 2023; 28:5399. [PMID: 37513271 PMCID: PMC10383859 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels have emerged recently, focusing on a hydrogen-based economy. The idea of using hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier is very promising due to its zero-emission properties. The present study investigates the formic acid (FA) decomposition for H2 generation using a commercial 5 wt.% Pd/C catalyst. Three different 2D microreactor configurations (packed bed, single membrane, and double membrane) were studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Parameters such as temperature, porosity, concentration, and flow rate of reactant were investigated. The packed bed configuration resulted in high conversions, but due to catalyst poisoning by carbon monoxide (CO), the catalytic activity decreased with time. For the single and double membrane microreactors, the same trends were observed, but the double membrane microreactor showed superior performance compared with the other configurations. Conversions higher than 80% were achieved, and even though deactivation decreased the conversion after 1 h of reaction, the selective removal of CO from the system with the use of membranes lead to an increase in the conversion afterwards. These results prove that the incorporation of membranes in the system for the separation of CO is improving the efficiency of the microreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleana Harkou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
| | - Panayiota Adamou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
| | - Kyproula Georgiou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
| | - Sanaa Hafeez
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E14NS, UK
| | - Sultan M Al-Salem
- Environmental & Life Sciences Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Alberto Villa
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - George Manos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WCIE7JE, UK
| | - Nikolaos Dimitratos
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Chemical Catalysis-C3, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Achilleas Constantinou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
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Ghasem N. A Review of the CFD Modeling of Hydrogen Production in Catalytic Steam Reforming Reactors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416064. [PMID: 36555702 PMCID: PMC9783637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Global demand for alternative renewable energy sources is increasing due to the consumption of fossil fuels and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen (H2) from biomass gasification is a green energy segment among the alternative options, as it is environmentally friendly, renewable, and sustainable. Accordingly, researchers focus on conducting experiments and modeling the reforming reactions in conventional and membrane reactors. The construction of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models is an essential tool used by researchers to study the performance of reforming and membrane reactors for hydrogen production and the effect of operating parameters on the methane stream, improving processes for reforming untreated biogas in a catalyst-fixed bed and membrane reactors. This review article aims to provide a good CFD model overview of recent progress in catalyzing hydrogen production through various reactors, sustainable steam reforming systems, and carbon dioxide utilization. This article discusses some of the issues, challenges, and conceivable arrangements to aid the efficient generation of hydrogen from steam reforming catalytic reactions and membrane reactors of bioproducts and fossil fuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayef Ghasem
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
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Bellou MG, Gkantzou E, Skonta A, Moschovas D, Spyrou K, Avgeropoulos A, Gournis D, Stamatis H. Development of 3D Printed Enzymatic Microreactors for Lipase-Catalyzed Reactions in Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Media. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13111954. [PMID: 36422383 PMCID: PMC9693471 DOI: 10.3390/mi13111954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 3D printing technology was exploited for the development of immobilized enzyme microreactors that could be used for biocatalytic processes in Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES)-based media. 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) microwell plates or tubular microfluidic reactors were modified with polyethylenimine (PEI) and lipase from Candida antarctica (CALB) was covalently immobilized in the interior of each structure. DESs were found to have a negligible effect on the activity and stability of CALB, and the system proved highly stable and reusable in the presence of DESs for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB). A kinetic study under flow conditions revealed an enhancement of substrate accessibility in the presence of Betaine: Glycerol (Bet:Gly) DES, while the system was not severely affected by diffusion limitations. Incubation of microreactors in 100% Bet:Gly preserved the enzyme activity by 53% for 30 days of storage at 60 °C, while the buffer-stored sample had already been deactivated. The microfluidic enzyme reactor was efficiently used for the trans-esterification of ethyl ferulate (EF) with glycerol towards the production of glyceryl ferulate (GF), known for its antioxidant potential. The biocatalytic process under continuous flow conditions exhibited 23 times higher productivity than the batch reaction system. This study featured an effective and robust biocatalytic system with immobilized lipase that can be used both in hydrolytic and synthetic applications, while further optimization is expected to upgrade the microreactor system performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto G. Bellou
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Elena Gkantzou
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Anastasia Skonta
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Moschovas
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Spyrou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Apostolos Avgeropoulos
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Gournis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Haralambos Stamatis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Hafeez S, Al-Salem SM, Bansode A, Villa A, Dimitratos N, Manos G, Constantinou A. Computational Investigation of Microreactor Configurations for Hydrogen Production from Formic Acid Decomposition Using a Pd/C Catalyst. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c04128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa Hafeez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WCIE 7JE, UK
| | - Sultan M. Al-Salem
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box: 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Atul Bansode
- Catalysis Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands
| | - Alberto Villa
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Dimitratos
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale e dei Materiali, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - George Manos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WCIE 7JE, UK
| | - Achilleas Constantinou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus
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Hafeez S, Harkou E, Al-Salem SM, Goula MA, Dimitratos N, Charisiou ND, Villa A, Bansode A, Leeke G, Manos G, Constantinou A. Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to fuels in microreactors: a review of set-ups and value-added chemicals production. REACT CHEM ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1re00479d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A review of CO2 hydrogenation to fuels and value-added chemicals in microreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa Hafeez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WCIE 7JE, UK
| | - Eleana Harkou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Sultan M. Al-Salem
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box: 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Maria A. Goula
- Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR-50100, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Dimitratos
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale e dei Materiali, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM Università di Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nikolaos D. Charisiou
- Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR-50100, Greece
| | - Alberto Villa
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Atul Bansode
- Catalysis Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands
| | - Gary Leeke
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - George Manos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WCIE 7JE, UK
| | - Achilleas Constantinou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 57 Corner of Athinon and Anexartisias, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus
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Theoretical Investigation of the Deactivation of Ni Supported Catalysts for the Catalytic Deoxygenation of Palm Oil for Green Diesel Production. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11060747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For the first time, a fully comprehensive heterogeneous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed to predict the selective catalytic deoxygenation of palm oil to produce green diesel over an Ni/ZrO2 catalyst. The modelling results were compared to experimental data, and a very good validation was obtained. It was found that for the Ni/ZrO2 catalyst, the paraffin conversion increased with temperature, reaching a maximum value (>95%) at 300 °C. However, temperatures greater than 300 °C resulted in a loss of conversion due to the fact of catalyst deactivation. In addition, at longer times, the model predicted that the catalyst activity would decline faster at temperatures higher than 250 °C. The CFD model was able to predict this deactivation by relating the catalytic activity with the reaction temperature.
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Decomposition of Additive-Free Formic Acid Using a Pd/C Catalyst in Flow: Experimental and CFD Modelling Studies. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11030341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of hydrogen as a renewable fuel has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its abundance and efficiency. The decomposition of formic acid for hydrogen production under mild conditions of 30 °C has been investigated using a 5 wt.% Pd/C catalyst and a fixed bed microreactor. Furthermore, a comprehensive heterogeneous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed to validate the experimental data. The results showed a very good agreement between the CFD studies and experimental work. Catalyst reusability studies have shown that after 10 reactivation processes, the activity of the catalyst can be restored to offer the same level of activity as the fresh sample of the catalyst. The CFD model was able to simulate the catalyst deactivation based on the production of the poisoning species CO, and a sound validation was obtained with the experimental data. Further studies demonstrated that the conversion of formic acid enhances with increasing temperature and decreasing liquid flow rate. Moreover, the CFD model established that the reaction system was devoid of any internal and external mass transfer limitations. The model developed can be used to successfully predict the decomposition of formic acid in microreactors for potential fuel cell applications.
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