Geother evaluation and improvement: A progress report including test cases for two-dimensional BWIP (Basalt Waste Isolation Project) analysis

The objective of the work is to evaluate the GEOTHER code and peform necessary improvements to make it specifically suitable for predicting the environmental conditions of the waste package for the Basalt Waste Isolation Project (BWIP); and to perform resaturation analyses, that is, the analyses of steam formation and condensation, for the repository and waste package using the improved GEOTHER code. This is a progress report to BWIP documenting the status of GEOTHER code testing, evaluation, and improvements. The computational results documented in this report reflect the current condition of the code and the condition before code improvements. The test cases used are intended for examining the code features in sufficient detail and are not intended to be taken as final conclusions for BWIP applications

A Career in Catalysis: Graham J. Hutchings

This Account is to commemorate the 70th birthday of Graham Hutchings and his diverse and distinguished career in catalysis, working in industry and academia. The scope of his work is wide ranging, and he has contributed to many areas of catalysis and has been a pioneer in several of them. Notable contributions to the discipline include novel methods of catalyst preparation for both metal oxides and supported nanoparticles, selective oxidation, acetylene hydrochlorination, and direct hydrogen peroxide synthesis, and he has played a central role in the discovery, application, and understanding of gold-based catalysts. The aim of this article is to provide an outline of his career and highlight some of the contributions he has made to the field of catalysis. Successfully supervising over 190 Ph.D. students, working directly with more than 90 postdoctoral researchers, and collaborating widely nationally and internationally, his work has influenced many in the discipline of heterogeneous catalysis

Metal oxides

This article details the preparation, catalytic activity, computer modeling, and design of heterogeneous oxide catalysts

Fischer Tropsch Synthesis using promoted cobalt-based catalysts

A series of CoMnOx catalysts with lanthanum and phosphorus promoters were prepared by wet impregnation and investigated for syngas conversion to hydrocarbons activity via Fischer Tropsch Synthesis. The effects of the promoters on the catalyst structure were examined by ICP, XRD, TPR and XPS measurements. The results of the catalytic tests showed that the addition of promoters altered the product selectivities when compared to the unpromoted catalyst

Fischer Tropsch synthesis using cobalt based carbon catalysts

The catalytic activity of a series of carbon-supported cobalt manganese oxide (CoMnOx) catalysts was investigated for the Fischer Tropsch synthesis reaction. The catalysts were compared with an unsupported CoMnOx catalyst under the same reaction conditions, and it was shown that the use of an activated carbon support increased both the catalyst activity and the selectivity to C2+ hydrocarbons, whilst lowering the selectivity to CH4 and CO2. Additionally, the effects of varying heat treatment temperatures and increasing the precursor ageing times were also investigated. Increasing the heat treatment temperature of the catalyst precursor between 300 and 500 °C led to an increase in activity, as well as an increase in selectivity to C2+ hydrocarbons, but it also increased the selectivity to CO2. At 600 °C there was a marked decrease in activity, and the main product was C5+ hydrocarbons. Ageing the initial precipitate led to a decrease in activity and also decreased the selectivity towards hydrocarbons