Catalytic reactor for operando spatially resolved structure–activity profiling using high-energy X-ray diffraction

In heterogeneous catalysis, operando measurements probe catalysts in their active state and are essential for revealing complex catalyst structure–activity relationships. The development of appropriate operando sample environments for spatially resolved studies has come strongly into focus in recent years, particularly when coupled to the powerful and multimodal characterization tools available at synchrotron light sources. However, most catalysis studies at synchrotron facilities only measure structural information about the catalyst in a spatially resolved manner, whereas gas analysis is restricted to the reactor outlet. Here, a fully automated and integrated catalytic profile reactor setup is shown for the combined measurement of temperature, gas composition and high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles, using the oxidative de­hydrogenation of C$_{2}$H$_{6}$ to C$_{2}$H$_{4}$ over MoO$_{3}$/γ-Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ as a test system. The profile reactor methodology was previously developed for X-ray absorption spectroscopy and is here extended for operando XRD. The profile reactor is a versatile and accessible research tool for combined spatially resolved structure–activity profiling, enabling the use of multiple synchrotron-based characterization methods to promote a knowledge-based optimization of a wide range of catalytic systems in a time- and resource-efficient wa

Determination of the methane potential of blue mussels

The aim of this study was to evaluate the methane potential of 35 kg of blue mussels in a batch amanaerobic two-stage dry digestion system (pilot-scale), which consists of aleach bed reactor (LB) and an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB). We monitored the process daily by measuring temperature, pH, COD, VFA, NH4+ gas flow rate and gas content. The temperature was approximately 30 C in the LB and 36 C in the UASB reactor. The applied OLR was 1.5 g COD/l*d. After 37 days process run, we obtained a total methamne yield of 0.64 Nm3 respectively 0.29 Nm3/kg VS, of that 70% in the LB reactor and 30% in the UASB reactor

Catalytic Profile Reactor for Multimodal Operando Measurements during Periodic Operation

Multimodal operando measurement concepts aim to provide structure-activity relations of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions during operation. While the utilization of multiple characterization and spatiotemporally-resolved techniques provides complementary information at relevant time and length scales, different reactor operation modes allow to track catalyst dynamics. However, combining these measurement concepts require complex experimental setups with high demands from a strongly interdisciplinary field of reaction engineering, physics and chemistry. In this study, a fully automated and integrated catalytic profile reactor setup is introduced which is capable of measuring spatiotemporally-resolved species concentration, temperature and catalyst structure information under periodic reaction conditions. The oxidative dehydrogenation of C$_2$H$_6$ to C$_2$H$_4$ over MoO$_3$/$γ$-Al$_2$O$_3$ was used as a test system. Using the periodic profile approach, the catalytic system was investigated through activity measurements resolved in time and space combined with reactor simulations and operando high-energy X-ray diffraction. The presented catalytic profile reactor setup is a versatile technology, aiming to promote combined and detailed analysis of local catalyst activity and structure, for improved reproducibility and quality of operando measurements