Biodiesel Production on Monometallic Pt, Pd, Ru, and Ag Catalysts Supported on Natural Zeolite

Biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and methanol via transesterification reaction facilitated by various monometallic catalyst supported on natural zeolite (NZ) was investigated. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized catalysts were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), temperature-programmed-reduction in hydrogen (H2-TPR), temperature-programmed-desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD), Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with EDX detector (SEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. The highest activity and methyl ester yields were obtained for the Pt/NZ catalyst. This catalyst showed the highest triglycerides conversion of 98.9% and fatty acids methyl esters yields of 94.6%. The activity results also confirmed the high activity of the carrier material (NZ) itself in the investigated reaction. Support material exhibited 90.5% of TG conversion and the Fatty Acid Methyl Esters yield (FAME) of 67.2%. Introduction of noble metals improves the TG conversion and FAME yield values. Increasing of the metal loading from 0.5 to 2 wt.% improves the reactivity properties of the investigated catalysts

The Effect of Modifiers on the Performance of Ni/CeO2 and Ni/La2O3 Catalysts in the Oxy–Steam Reforming of LNG

This work interrogates for the first time the catalytic properties of various monometallic Ni catalysts in the oxy-steam reforming of LNG. Various research techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area and porosity analysis (BET method), scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDS), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH3), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR-H2) and the FTIR method, were used to study their physicochemical properties. The mechanism of the oxy-steam reforming of LNG is also discussed in this paper. The high activity of monometallic catalysts supported on 5% La2O3–CeO2 and 5% ZrO2–CeO2 oxides in the studied process have been proven and explained on the basis of their acidity, specific surface area, sorption properties in relation to the reaction products, the crystallite size of the metallic nickel and their phase composition

Influence of NiO/La2O3 Catalyst Preparation Method on Its Reactivity in the Oxy-Steam Reforming of LNG Process

The oxy-steam reforming of liquefied natural gas reaction (OSR-LNG) is promising process for syngas generation. In this paper, the catalytic properties of NiO/La2O3 systems prepared by wet impregnation and co-precipitation methods were extensively investigated in OSR-LNG reaction. The physicochemical properties of the studied catalytic materials were determined using various techniques including Temperature programmed reduction (TPR-H2), Temperature programmed desorption (TPD-NH3), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-Ray spectrometer (EDS). Reactivity measurements performed in the OSR-LNG process showed that the catalyst preparation method and the calcination temperature significantly affected the activity of NiO/La2O3 catalysts in the OSR-LNG reaction. The catalytic activity tests showed that NiO/La2O3 system prepared by a wet impregnation method and calcined at 700 °C showed the total conversion of the LNG component at 900 °C and the highest H2 yield at 700 and 900 °C. The phase composition studies confirmed the formation of the LaNiO3 structure in the case of the NiO/La2O3 catalyst prepared by wet impregnation, calcined at the temperature of 700 °C. Catalytic activity measurements showed that the reactivity of the catalysts was related to their phase composition and acidity. SEM images of spent catalysts showed that the smallest amount of carbon deposit was detected on the surface of the most active systems

Oxy-Steam Reforming of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) on Mono- and Bimetallic (Ag, Pt, Pd or Ru)/Ni Catalysts

This work presents, for the first time, the comparative physicochemical and reactivity studies of a range of bimetallic Pt-Ni, Pd-Ni, Ru-Ni, and Ag-Ni catalysts in the oxy-steam reforming (OSR) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reaction towards hydrogen generation. In order to achieve the intended purpose of this work, a binary oxide CeO2·ZrO2 (1:2) support was prepared via a co-precipitation method. The catalysts’ physicochemical properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, TPR-H2, TPD-NH3, SEM-EDS and XPS methods. The highest activity in the studied process was exhibited by the 1%Pt-5%Ni catalyst supported on CeO2·ZrO2 (1:2) system. The highest activity of this system is explained by the specific interactions occurring between the components of the active phase and between the components of the active phase and the carrier itself. The activity results showed that this catalytic system exhibited above 71% of the methane conversion at 600 °C and 60% yield of hydrogen formation. The results of this work demonstrate that the Pt-Ni and Ru-Ni catalytic systems hold promise to be applied in the production of hydrogen to power solid oxide fuel cells

Comparative Studies of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis on Iron Catalysts Supported on Al2O3-Cr2O3 (2:1), Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes or BEA Zeolite Systems

The main goal of the presented paper is to study the influence of a range of support materials, i.e., multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Al2O3-Cr2O3 (2:1), zeolite β-H and zeolite β-Na on the physicochemical and catalytic properties in Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. All tested Fe catalysts were synthesized using the impregnation method. Their physicochemical properties were extensively investigated using various characterization techniques such as the Temperature-Programmed Reduction of hydrogen (TPR-H2), X-ray diffraction, Temperature-Programmed Desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH3), Temperature-Programmed Desorption of carbon dioxide (TPD-CO2), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Brunauer Emmett Teller method (BET) and Thermogravimetric Differential Analysis coupled with Mass Spectrometer (TG-DTA-MS). Activity tests were performed in F-T synthesis using a high-pressure fixed bed reactor and a gas mixture of H2 and CO (50% CO and 50% H2). The correlation between the physicochemical properties and reactivity in F-T synthesis was determined. The highest activity was from a 40%Fe/Al2O3-Cr2O3 (2:1) system which exhibited 89.9% of CO conversion and 66.6% selectivity toward liquid products. This catalyst also exhibited the lowest acidity, but the highest quantity of iron carbides on its surface. In addition, in the case of iron catalysts supported on MWCNTs or a binary oxide system, the smallest amount of carbon deposit formed on the surface of the catalyst during the F-T process was confirmed

The Effect of the Activation Process and Metal Oxide Addition (CaO, MgO, SrO) on the Catalytic and Physicochemical Properties of Natural Zeolite in Transesterification Reaction

This work provides valuable information about unexplored catalytic systems tested in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oil with methanol. It was demonstrated that natural zeolite treatment leads to enhanced catalytic activity and yield of biodiesel production. The activation of the catalytic material in a mixture of 5% H2–95% Ar resulted in an improvement of the values of the TG conversion and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) yield. In addition, it was proven that the incorporation of CaO, MgO and SrO oxides onto the natural zeolite surface improves the TG conversion and FAME yield values in the transesterification reaction

High Active and Selective Ni/CeO2–Al2O3 and Pd–Ni/CeO2–Al2O3 Catalysts for Oxy-Steam Reforming of Methanol

Herein, we report monometallic Ni and bimetallic Pd–Ni catalysts supported on CeO2–Al2O3 binary oxide which are highly active and selective in oxy-steam reforming of methanol (OSRM). Monometallic and bimetallic supported catalysts were prepared by an impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of the catalytic systems were investigated using a range of methods such as: Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR–H2), Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD–NH3), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM–EDS). We demonstrate that the addition of palladium facilitates the reduction of nickel catalysts. The activity tests performed for all catalysts confirmed the promotion effect of palladium on the catalytic activity of nickel catalyst and their selectivity towards hydrogen production. Both nickel and bimetallic palladium–nickel supported catalysts showed excellent stability during the reaction. The reported catalytic systems are valuable to make advances in the field of fuel cell technology

Using Zeolites to Cold Stabilize White Wines

Background and Aims. Tartrate stabilisation is a necessary step in commercial wine production. The traditional method to prevent crystallisation and precipitation of potassium bitartrate (KHT) after a wine is bottled is by adding seed KHT crystals to wine stored in a tank and holding temperatures below 0°C for a set period of time before bottling. This process requires time and energy and a filtration step to remove sediment. However, compared to other technical solutions such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, or ion exchange, it is still the most economical stabilisation option. This work aims to evaluate the ability of zeolites to cold stabilize white wines. Since zeolites can also remove proteins and thus heat-stabilize white wines, the new process can potentially combine heat and cold stability in a single treatment. Methods and Results. Effective tartrate stabilisation was achieved by mixing a natural zeolite sample with white wine for three hours. Although the quantum of required zeolite was larger than bentonite, zeolite did not exhibit shrink-swell behaviour, thus enabling greater wine recovery and capacity to be regenerated. Effective heat and cold stability could be achieved using a low-calcium zeolite as a processing aid in a single treatment. To avoid aluminium leaching and elevated aluminium concentrations in the treated wine, the zeolite was calcinated before being added to the wine. The calcination process also reduced calcium content in the wine after treatment with zeolite, thus eliminating the risk of calcium instability. Conclusions. The application of zeolite as a processing aid can potentially be effective in cold-stabilizing white wines and removing proteins responsible for haze formation. Significance of the study. Zeolites may constitute an alternative technology in white wine production facilitating heat and cold stabilisation in a single treatment

The Impact of Reduction Temperature and Nanoparticles Size on the Catalytic Activity of Cobalt-Containing BEA Zeolite in Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

A goal of this work was to investigate the influence of the preparation procedure and activation conditions (reduction temperature and reducing medium: pure hydrogen (100% H2) or hydrogen-argon mixture (5% H2-95% Ar)) on the activity of Co-containing BEA zeolites in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Therefore, a series of CoBEA zeolites were obtained by a conventional wet impregnation (Co5.0AlBEA) and a two-step postsynthesis preparation procedure involving dealumination and impregnation steps (Co5.0SiBEA). Both types of zeolites were calcined in air at 500 °C for 3 h and then reduced at 500, 800 and 900 °C for 1 h in 100 % H2 and in 5% H2–95% Ar mixture flow. The obtained Red-C-Co5.0AlBEA and Red-C-Co5.0SiBEA catalysts with various physicochemical properties were tested in Fischer–Tropsch reaction. Among the studied catalysts, Red-C-Co5.0SiBEA reduced at 500 °C in pure hydrogen was the most active, presenting selectivity to liquid products of 91% containing mainly C7–C16 n-alkanes and isoalkanes as well as small amount of olefins, with CO conversion of about 11%. The Red-C-Co5.0AlBEA catalysts were not active in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. It showed that removal of aluminum from the BEA zeolite in the first step of postsynthesis preparation procedure played a key role in the preparation of efficient catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. An increase of the reduction temperature from 500 to 800 and 900 °C resulted in two times lower CO conversion and a drop of the selectivity towards liquid products (up to 62%–88%). The identified main liquid products were n-alkanes and isoalkanes. The higher activity of Red-C-Co5.0SiBEA catalysts can be assigned to good dispersion of cobalt nanoparticles and thus a smaller cobalt nanoparticles size than in the case of Red-C-Co5.0AlBEA catalyst