4 research outputs found
Experimental Investigation of Metal-Based Calixarenes as Dispersed Catalyst Precursors for Heavy Oil Hydrocracking
Slurry-phase hydrocracking utilizing metal-containing oil-soluble compounds as precursors of dispersed catalysts is an effective approach for heavy oil upgrading. We propose applying metal-based p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene (TBC[6]s) organic species as dispersed catalyst precursors to enhance catalytic hydrogenation reactions involved in the upgrading of vacuum gas oil (VGO). Co- and Ni-based TBC[6]s were synthesized and characterized by SEM-EDX, ICP, XRD, and FT-IR. The thermogravimetric and calorimetric behaviors of the synthesized complexes, which are key properties of dispersed hydrocracking catalysts, were also explored. The experimental evaluation of the synthesized catalyst precursors show that the synthesized metal-based TBC[6] catalyst precursors improved the catalytic hydrogenation reactions. A co-catalytic system was also investigated by adding a commercial, first-stage hydrocracking supported catalyst in addition to the dispersed catalysts. The naphtha yields increased from 10.7 wt.% for the supported catalyst to 11.7 wt.% and 12 wt.% after adding it along with Ni-TBC[6] and Co-TBC[6], respectively. Mixing the metal-based precursors resulted in elevated yields of liquid products due to the in situ generation of highly active Co–Ni bimetallic dispersed catalysts.This research was funded by Deanship of Research Oversight and Coordination (DROC) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), grant number DF181018
Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Ethylene with 32% Lower Energy at 80% Lower Cost via Coproduction of Glycolic Acid
We are in a race against time to implement technologies for carbon
capture, conversion, and utilization (CCU) to create a closed anthropogenic
carbon cycle. Renewable energy powered electrochemical CO2 reduction
(eCO2R) to fuels and chemicals is an attractive technology in this
context. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to drive economic feasibility of eCO2R
to ethylene (C2H4), the largest produced organic chemical,
by coupling with glycerol oxidation on anode. Our gold nano-dendrite anode
catalyst demonstrated very high activity (J ~377 mA/cm2 at 1.2 V vs reversible
hydrogen electrode) and selectivity (~50% to glycolic acid (GA)) for glycerol
oxidation. The co-electrolysis process demonstrated record high selectivity of
~60% for C2H4 production at a very low cell voltage of ~
1.7 V, translating to 32% reduction in required energy compared to conventional
eCO2R with water oxidation reaction on anode. The experimental
results were complemented with a detailed technoeconomic analysis that
indicated economic feasibility will depend on several factors such as price of
organic feed, selectivity of anode electrode, market value of chemicals
produced and most importantly cost of separation and purification. Our results
indicate that C2H4 produced via conventional eCO2R would require electricity price to
plummet to 2H4
and GA will help reduce C2H4 production cost by ~ 80% to
~1.08 $/kg, reaching
cost parity at electricity price of 5 cents/kWh. This study may trigger research
efforts for design of electrochemical processes with low electricity
requirement using cheap industrial waste streams. </p
Seawater Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: A Solution Looking for a Problem?
As the price of renewable
electricity continues to plummet, hydrogen (H2) production via water
electrolysis is gaining momentum globally as a route to
decarbonize our energy systems. The requirement of
high purity water for electrolysis as well as the widespread availability of
seawater have led significant research efforts in developing direct seawater
electrolysis technology for H2 production. In
this Perspective, we critically assess the broad-brush arguments on the research and
development (R&D) needs for direct seawater electrolysis from energy, cost
and environmental aspects. We focus in particular on a process consisting of
sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO) coupled to proton exchange membrane (PEM)
electrolysis. Our analysis reveals there are limited economic and environmental
incentives of pursuing R&D on today’s nascent direct seawater electrolysis
technology. As commercial water electrolysis requires significant amount of
energy compared to SWRO, the capital and operating costs of SWRO are found to
be negligible. This leads to an insignificant increase in levelized cost of H2
(2) and CO2 emissions (<0.1%) from a
SWRO-PEM coupled process. Our analysis poses the questions: what is the future
promise of direct seawater electrolysis? With an urgent need to decarbonize our
energy systems, should we consider realigning our research investments? We
conclude with a forward-looking perspective on future R&D priorities in
desalination and electrolysis technologies