Parametric Study of a Pressure Swing Adsorption Process

The performance of a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process for production of high purity hydrogen from a binary methane-hydrogen mixture is simulated using a detailed, adiabatic PSA model. An activated carbon is used for selective adsorption of methane over hydrogen. The effects of various independent process variables (feed gas pressure and composition, purge gas pressure and quantity, configuration of process steps) on the key dependent process variables (hydrogen recovery at high purity, hydrogen production capacity) are evaluated. It is demonstrated that many different combinations of PSA process steps, their operating conditions, and the feed gas conditions can be chosen to produce an identical product gas with different hydrogen recovery and productivity.     

Solar-powered electrochemical oxidation of organic compounds coupled with the cathodic production of molecular hydrogen

A Bi-doped TiO2 anode, which is prepared from a mixed metal oxide coating deposited on Ti metal, is shown to be efficient for conventional water splitting. In this hybrid photovoltaic-electrochemical system, a photovoltaic (PV) cell is used to convert solar light to electricity, which is then used to oxidize a series of phenolic compounds at the semiconductor anode to carbon dioxide with the simultaneous production of molecular hydrogen from water/proton reduction at the stainless steel cathode. Degradation of phenol in the presence of a background NaCl electrolyte produces chlorinated phenols as reaction intermediates, which are subsequently oxidized completely to carbon dioxide and low-molecular weight carboxylic acids. The anodic current efficiency for the complete oxidation of phenolic compounds ranges from 3% to 17%, while the cathodic current efficiency and the energy efficiency for hydrogen gas generation range from 68% to 95% and 30% to 70%, respectively.     

Reversible transient hydrogen storage in a fuel cell-supercapacitor hybrid device

A new concept is investigated for hydrogen storage in a supercapacitor based on large-surface-area carbon material (Black Pearls 2000). Protons and electrons of hydrogen are separated on a fuel cell-type electrode and then stored separately in the electrical double layer, the electrons on the carbon and the protons in the aqueous electrolyte of the supercapacitor electrode. The merit of this concept is that it works spontaneously and reversibly near ambient pressure and temperature. This is in pronounced contrast to what has been known as electrochemical hydrogen storage, which does not involve hydrogen gas and where electrical work has to be spent in the loading process. With the present hybrid device, a H(2) storage capacity of 0.13 wt% was obtained, one order of magnitude more than what can be stored by conventional physisorption on large-surface-area carbons at the same pressure and temperature. Raising the pressure from 1.5 to 3.5 bar increased the capacity by less than 20%, indicating saturation. A capacitance of 11 μF cm(-2), comparable with that of a commercial double layer supercapacitor, was found using H(2)SO(4) as electrolyte. The chemical energy of the stored H(2) is almost a factor of 3 larger than the electrical energy stored in the supercapacitor. Further developments of this concept relate to a hydrogen buffer integrated inside a proton exchange membrane fuel cell to be used in case of peak power demand. This serial setup takes advantage of the suggested novel concept of hydrogen storage. It is fundamentally different from previous ways of operating a conventional supercapacitor hooked up in parallel to a fuel cell.     

Integration of anodic and cathodic processes for the synergistic electrochemical production of peracetic acid

Efficient in-situ production of peracetic acid is an unreached milestone of electrochemical engineering. Previous attempts in the production of peracetic acid were focused either on the cathodic production of hydrogen peroxide and its further addition to acetic acid solutions or on the oxidation of a suitable raw material (v. g. acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ethanol). In the present work, the oxidation of acetic acid by a boron doped diamond (BDD) anode was integrated with the cathodic production of hydrogen peroxide using a carbon felt gas diffusion electrode. A marked synergistic effect (synergy coefficient of 192.0 ± 13.1%) is observed when the oxidation of acetic acid by hydroxyl radicals is performed together with the cathodic production of hydrogen peroxide. A maximum PAA production efficiency of 19.87% was obtained, a value much higher than previous works based on the oxidation of acetic acid by BDD anodes and approximately double the optimal value reported in studies based on the production of hydrogen peroxide.     

介质阻挡放电等离子体甲烷/水蒸气重整制氢

采用自制的介质阻挡放电实验系统,进行了甲烷/水蒸气大气压下重整制氢实验研究。考察了水碳比（水蒸气/甲烷物质的量比）、气体总流量、放电电压和放电频率对甲烷转化率及氢气等主要产物产率的影响。结果表明,甲烷转化率和氢气产率随着水碳比和放电电压的增加而增大,随着气体总流量和放电频率的增加呈现先增大后减小的变化规律。在放电电压18.6 kV、放电频率9.8 kHz、水碳比3.4、反应气体总流量79 mL/min时,获最大氢气产率（14.38%）。此外,利用发射光谱对放电过程中的活性基团进行了原位诊断,得到了CH·、OH·、H₂及H_α活性粒子的光谱信号强度随实验参数的变化规律,并结合放电机理推测了氢气的生成路径。     

Rapid Production of High‐Purity Hydrogen Fuel through Microwave‐Promoted Deep Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Liquid Alkanes with Abundant Metals

Hydrogen as an energy carrier promises a sustainable energy revolution. However, one of the greatest challenges for any future hydrogen economy is the necessity for large scale hydrogen production not involving concurrent CO₂ production. The high intrinsic hydrogen content of liquid‐range alkane hydrocarbons (including diesel) offers a potential route to CO₂‐free hydrogen production through their catalytic deep dehydrogenation. We report here a means of rapidly liberating high‐purity hydrogen by microwave‐promoted catalytic dehydrogenation of liquid alkanes using Fe and Ni particles supported on silicon carbide. A H₂ production selectivity from all evolved gases of some 98 %, is achieved with less than a fraction of a percent of adventitious CO and CO₂. The major co‐product is solid, elemental carbon.     

生物油水溶性组分的水蒸气催化重整制氢实验研究

利用固定床反应器对生物油水溶性组分重整制氢反应进行了考察,研究了温度、吸收剂的加入对反应过程的影响。结果表明,在常压条件下生物油水溶性组分的最佳重整温度为800℃,此时H2体积分数为60%、CO体积分数为10%。加入CO₂吸收剂后,H₂体积分数提高了25%,H₂产率提高了10%。在常压条件下,以CaO作为吸收剂时,最佳的反应温度为600℃,此时H₂体积分数最高可达85%。650℃时CaO对CO₂的吸收能力减弱导致其对生成H₂反应的促进作用急剧降低。     

Production of poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates from CO and H2 by a novel photosynthetic bacterium

A novel process is described to efficiently photoconvert low-grade organic materials such as waste biomass into natural biological plastics. When heterogeneous forms of dry biomass are thermally gasified, relatively homogeneous synthesis gas mixtures composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are produced. Unique strains of photosynthetic bacteria were isolated that nearly quantitatively photoassimilate the carbon monoxide and hydrogen components of synthesis gas into new cell mass. Under unbalanced culture conditions when cellular growth is limited by shortages of nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, iron, or essential vitamins, up to 28% of the new cell mass is found as granules of poly-3-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a highmolecular-weight thermoplastic that can be solvent-extracted. The dominant monomeric unit of PHAs is 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), which is polymerized into the homopolymeric poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). PHB is marketed as a biodegradable plastic with physical properties similar to polystyrene. When a green alga was cocultured with the photosynthetic bacterium in light-dark (day-night) cycles, the bacteria synthesized a polymer of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHB-V) with a composition of 70% 3HB and 30% 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) to an extent of 18% of the new cell mass. PHB-V is commercially marketed as Biopol and has physical properties similar to polypropylene or polyethylene. Our results demonstrate that a strain of photosynthetic bacteria capable of photoassimilating synthesis gas or producer gas is a potential candidate for large-scale production of biological polyesters.     

Fe修饰多壁碳纳米管电极高效产H2O2

为提高电芬顿(Electro-Fenton)体系H2O2的产率, 制备了多壁碳纳米管(MWNT)电极, 并与石墨/气体扩散(GDC)电极进行了比较. 结果表明, MWNT电极H2O2产率高于GDC电极. 采用电沉积方法, 制备了Fe修饰MWNT(Fe-MWNT)电极, 发现Fe对MWNT电极的修饰不仅可以提高体系的H2O2产率, 而且电流效率可以提高8%左右, 与GDC电极的电流效率接近. Fe-MWNT电极有望成为一种新型的阴极材料应用于Electro-Fenton体系中.     

面向氢能源、燃料电池和二氧化碳减排的制氢途径的选择

对氢气的多种制造途径加以探讨,也涉及到氢能的利用、燃料电池以及二氧化碳的减排。需要指出的是氢气并非能源,而只是能量的载体。 所以氢能的发展首先需要制造氢气。对于以化石燃料为基础的制氢过程,如煤的气化和天然气重整,需要开发更经济和环境友好的新过程,在这些新过程中要同时考虑二氧化碳的有效收集和利用问题。对于煤和生物质,在此提出了一种值得进一步深入研究的富一氧化碳气化制氢的概念。对于以氢为原料的质子交换膜燃料电池系统,必须严格控制制备的氢气中的一氧化碳和硫化氢;对于以烃类为原料的固体氧化物燃料电池,制备的合成气中的硫也需严格控制。然而,传统的脱硫方法并不适宜于这种用于燃料电池的极高深度的氢气和合成气的脱硫。氢能和燃料电池的发展是与控制二氧化碳排放紧密相关的。     

Probing the bent bonds in cyclopropane systems for gas storage and separation process: A computational study

The hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide gas adsorption and storage capacity of lithium-decorated cyclopropane ring systems were examined with quantum chemical calculations at density functional theory, DFT M06-2X functional using 6-31G(d) and cc-pVDZ basis sets. To examine the reliability of M06-2X DFT functional, a few representative systems are also examined with complete basis set CBS-QB3 method and CCSD-aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. The cyclopropane systems can bind to one Li⁺ ion; however, the corresponding the methylated systems can bind with two Li⁺ ions. The cyclopropane systems can adsorb six hydrogen molecules with an average binding energy of 3.8 kcal/mol. The binding free energy (ΔG) values suggest that the hydrogen adsorption process is feasible at 273.15 K. The calculation of desorption energies indicates the recyclable property of gas adsorbed complexes. The same number of CO₂ and CO gas molecules can also be adsorbed with an average binding energy of −14.4 kcal/mol and −10.7 kcal/mol, respectively. The carbon dioxide showed ~3–4 kcal/mol better binding energy as compared to carbon monoxide and hence such designed systems can function as a potential candidate for the separation of these flue gas molecules. The nature of interactions in complexes was examined with atoms in molecules analysis revealed the electrostatic nature for the interaction of Li⁺ ion with cyclopropane rings. The chemical hardness and electrophilicity calculations showed that the gas adsorbed complexes are rigid and therefore robust as gas storage materials.     

Synthesis gas as substrate for the biological production of fuels and chemicals

Synthesis gas provides a simple substrate for the production of fuels and chemicals. Synthesis gas can be produced via established technologies from a variety of feedstocks including coal, wood, and agricultural and municipal wastes. The gasification is thermally efficient and results in complete conversion of the feedstock to fermentable substrate.Clostridium ljungdahlii grows on the synthesis gas components, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Production of acetic acid and ethanol accompanies growth with synthesis gas as sole source of energy and carbon. Rate and yield parameters are compared forC. ljungdahlii grown on carbon monoxide, or hydrogen with carbon dioxide.

     

Hydrogen storage in ni nanoparticle-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Hydrogen storage properties of mutiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with Ni nanoparticles were investigated. The metal nanoparticles were dispersed on MWCNTs surfaces using an incipient wetness impregnation procedure. Ni catalysts have been known to effectively dissociate hydrogen molecules in gas phase, providing atomic hydrogen possible to form chemical bonding with the surfaces of MWCNTs. Hydrogen desorption spectra of MWCNTs with 6 wt % of Ni nanoparticles showed that approximately 2.8 wt % hydrogen was released in the range of 340-520 K. In Kissinger's plot to evaluate the nature of interaction between hydrogen and MWCNTs with Ni nanoparticles, the hydrogen desorption activation energy was measured to be as high as approximately 31 kJ/mol.H(2), which is much higher than the estimates of pristine SWNTs. C-H(n)() stretching vibrations after hydrogenation in FTIR further supported that hydrogen molecules were dissociated when bound to the surfaces of MWCNTs. During cyclic hydrogen absorption/desorption, there was observed no significant decay in hydrogen desorption amount. The hydrogen chemisorption process facilitated by Ni nanopaticles could be suggested as an effective reversible hydrogen storage method.     

Natural gas pyrolysis in double-walled reactor tubes using thermal plasma or concentrated solar radiation as external heating source

The thermal pyrolysis of natural gas as a clean hydrogen production route is examined.The concept of a double-walled reactor tube is proposed and implemented.Preliminary experiments using an external plasma heating source are carded out to validate this concept.The results point out the efficient CH4 dissociation above 1850 K (CH4 conversion over 90%) and the key influence of the gas residence time.Simulations are performed to predict the conversion rate of CH4 at the reactor outlet,and are consistent with experimental tendencies.A solar reactor prototype featuring four independent double-walled tubes is then developed.The heat in high temperature process required for the endothermic reaction of natural gas pyrolysis is supplied by concentrated solar energy.The tubes are heated uniformly by radiation using the blackbody effect of a cavity-receiver absorbing the concentrated solar irradiation through a quartz window.The gas composition at the reactor outlet,the chemical conversion of CH4,and the yield to H2 are determined with respect to reaction temperature,inlet gas flow-rates,and feed gas composition.The longer the gas residence time,the higher the CH4 conversion and H2 yield,whereas the lower the amount of acetylene.A CH4 conversion of 99% and H2 yield of about 85% are measured at 1880 K with 30% CH4 in the feed gas (6 L/min injected and residence time of 18 ms).A temperature increase from 1870 K to 1970 K does not improve the H2 yield.     

煤和生物质共气化制备富氢气体的实验研究

在煤处理量为8kg/h的小型流化床反应器上,以富氧空气和水蒸气为气化介质,对煤和生物质共气化制取富氢燃气进行了实验研究。在850℃～1 050℃主要考察了空气当量比、水碳比、生物质比例和生物质种类对燃气组成和气体产率的影响。结果表明,对煤和稻草混合体系,稻草质量比为33%时,空气当量比增加,CO2含量显著增加,H2、CO和CH4含量减少,气体产率增加;水碳比增加,CO2和CH4含量增加,CO和H2含量减小,气体产率先增加后减小;生物质比例增加,CO2、H2和CH4含量增加,CO含量降低,气体产率先增加后减小,当生物质比例小于50%时,可以实现体系的稳定运行。对于三种不同的煤与生物质混合体系,煤与高粱秆共气化所得煤气中H2含量最高,气体产率的顺序为:煤/木屑煤/高粱秆煤/稻草煤。实验中H2在煤气中的体积分数最高可达37.25%,最大产率为0.54m3/kg。     

A Review of Hydrogen Production by Photosynthetic Organisms Using Whole-Cell and Cell-Free Systems

Molecular hydrogen is a promising currency in the future energy economy due to the uncertain availability of finite fossil fuel resources and environmental effects from their combustion. It also has important uses in the production of fertilizers and platform chemicals as well as in upgrading conventional fuels. Conventional methods for producing molecular hydrogen from natural gas produce carbon dioxide and use a finite resource as feedstock. However, these issues can be overcome by using light energy from the Sun combined with microorganisms and their molecular machinery capable of photosynthesis. In the presence of light, the proteins involved in photosynthesis coupled with appropriate catalysts in higher plants, algae, and cyanobacteria can produce molecular hydrogen, and optimization via genetic modifications and biomolecular engineering further improves production rates. In this review, we will discuss techniques that have been utilized to improve rates of hydrogen production in biological systems based on the protein machinery of photosynthesis coupled with appropriate catalysts. We will also suggest areas for improvement and future directions for work in the field.     

Syngas Production from Propane Using Atmospheric Non-thermal Plasma

Propane steam reforming using a sliding discharge reactor was investigated under atmospheric pressure and low temperature (420 K). Non-thermal plasma steam reforming proceeded efficiently and hydrogen was formed as a main product (H₂ concentration up to 50%). By-products (C₂-hydrocarbons, methane, carbon dioxide) were measured with concentrations lower than 6%. The mean electrical power injected in the discharge is less than 2 kW. The process efficiency is described in terms of propane conversion rate, steam reforming and cracking selectivity, as well as by-products production. Chemical processes modelling based on classical thermodynamic equilibrium reactor is also proposed. Calculated data fit quiet well experimental results and indicate that the improvement of C₃H₈ conversion and then H₂ production can be achieved by increasing the gas fraction through the discharge. By improving the reactor design, the non-thermal plasma has a potential for being an effective way for supplying hydrogen or synthesis gas.     

Hydrogen production by catalytic decomposition of methane using a Fe-based catalyst in a fluidized bed reactor

Catalytic decomposition of methane using a Fe-based catalyst for hydrogen production has been studied in this work. A Fe/Al2O3 catalyst previously developed by our research group has been tested in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). A parametric study of the effects of some process variables,including reaction temperature and space velocity,is undertaken. The operating conditions strongly affect the catalyst performance. Methane conversion was increased by increasing the temperature and lowering the space velocity. Using temperatures between 700 and 900℃ and space velocities between 3 and 6LN/(gcat·h),a methane conversion in the range of 25%-40% for the gas exiting the reactor could be obtained during a 6 hrun. In addition,carbon was deposited in the form of nanofilaments (chain like nanofibers and multiwall nanotubes) with similar properties to those obtained in a fixed bed reactor.     

Recent advances in photosynthetic energy conversion

Photosynthesis is one of the first natural processes evolved by cyanobacteria, algae and green plants to trap light and CO₂ in the form of reduced carbon compounds while simultaneously oxidizing water to oxygen. The photosynthetic energy conversion forms the basis for all the existing life today. The photosynthetic energy is being harnessed in many ways using modern technologies for the production of fuels using photosynthetic organisms, generation of direct electricity using photosystems/photosynthetic organisms in photo-bioelectrochemical cells or through photovoltaic systems. While the production of energy rich carbon fuels (ethanol, propanol) from photosynthetic organisms has already been accomplished due to advancement in understanding microbial physiology and metabolism, the photosynthetic hydrogen production as well as direct electricity generation from light is still at its infancy. Recent advances include combining photosystem complexes with hydrogenases for hydrogen production, using isolated thylakoids, photosystems on nanostructured electrodes such as gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, ZnO nanoparticles for electricity generation. Many challenging optimizations on the immobilization methods, catalyst stability and isolation procedures, electron transfer strategies have acquired momentum leading to the production of more stable and higher current densities and power densities in photosynthetic devices. Further, the use of whole cell microorganisms (cyanobacteria, microalgae) rather than their isolated counterparts has produced promising results. The photosynthetic energy conversion has an enormous potential for renewable energy generation in a sustainable and environment friendly manner.     

Towards Green Ammonia Synthesis through Plasma-Driven Nitrogen Oxidation and Catalytic Reduction

Ammonia is an industrial large-volume chemical, with its main application in fertilizer production. It also attracts increasing attention as a green-energy vector. Over the past century, ammonia production has been dominated by the Haber–Bosch process, in which a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen gas is converted to ammonia at high temperatures and pressures. Haber–Bosch processes with natural gas as the source of hydrogen are responsible for a significant share of the global CO₂ emissions. Processes involving plasma are currently being investigated as an alternative for decentralized ammonia production powered by renewable energy sources. In this work, we present the PNOCRA process (plasma nitrogen oxidation and catalytic reduction to ammonia), combining plasma-assisted nitrogen oxidation and lean NO_x trap technology, adopted from diesel-engine exhaust gas aftertreatment technology. PNOCRA achieves an energy requirement of 4.6 MJ mol⁻¹ NH₃, which is more than four times less than the state-of-the-art plasma-enabled ammonia synthesis from N₂ and H₂ with reasonable yield (>1 %).