Study on gas adsorption and desorption characteristics on water injection coal

To study the desorption mechanism of methane in coal by H₂O injection and establish the Wiser molecular structure model of bituminous coal, the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo method was used to study the desorption behavior of CH₄ in coal with different amounts of H₂O injection at molecular scale. The results showed that at 293 K, the maximum adsorption capacity of H₂O was about 16 mmol/g, and that of CH₄ was about 8 mmol/g, which was about twice that of CH₄. This indicates that H₂O has a stronger adsorption capacity than CH₄. For methane-bearing coal, when the amount of water injected is 100, the average relative concentration of CH₄ is 0.5446, and the average relative concentration of CH₄ decreases by 33.77% compared to the water content of 20. Under the same time conditions, the root mean square displacement and diffusion coefficient of CH₄ decrease with the increase of H₂O injection quantity. With the increase of H₂O injection, the motion velocity of CH₄ in vacuum layer decreased. When water was injected, methane was trapped in the coal by water. The more H₂O injected, the more methane trapped in the coal, and the less methane desorption. This research lays a theoretical foundation for further research involving coal-water interaction.     

Autothermal reforming of methane to syngas for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with promoted palladium and a fast start-up device

In this study, a Pd catalyst was prepared with promoters such as CeO₂, BaO and SrO in a washcoated form on a metallic monolith for autothermal reforming of methane to syngas for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. A reactor was installed with an electric heater in the form of the metallic monolith as a start-up device instead of a burner with which stable and fast start-ups (within 4 min) were achieved. Gas hourly space velocity and O₂/CH₄ governed, methane conversion, while H₂O/CH₄ controlled H₂/CO ratio. A methane conversion of approx. 96%, H₂+CO selectivity of approx. 85%, and H₂/CO of approx. 2.6 were obtained under the conditions of gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) at 103000 h^?1, O₂/CH₄=0.7 and H₂O/CH₄=0.35.     

Conversion of CH4 Catalyzed by Gas Phase Ions Containing Metals

Methane is an abundant and cheap feedstock to produce valuable chemicals. The catalytic reaction of methane conversion generally requires the participation of multiple molecules (such as two or three CH₄ molecules, O₂, CO₂, etc.). Such complex process includes the cleavage of original chemical bonds, formation of new chemical bonds, and desorption of products. The gas phase study provides a unique arena to gain molecular-level insights into the detailed mechanisms of bond-breaking and bond-forming involved in complicated catalytic reactions. In this Review, we introduce the methane conversion catalyzed by gas phase ions containing metals and three topics will be discussed: (1) the direct coupling of methane molecules, (2) the conversion of CH₄ with O₂, O₃ and N₂O, and (3) the conversion of CH₄ with CO₂ and H₂O. The obtained mechanistic aspects may provide new clues for rational design of better-performing catalysts for conversion of methane to value-added products.     

Experimental and kinetic modeling study of the effect of sulfur dioxide on the mutual sensitization of the oxidation of nitric oxide and methane

New experimental results were obtained for the mutual sensitization of the oxidation of NO and methane in a fused silica jet‐stirred reactor operating at 10⁵ Pa, over the temperature range 800–1150 K. The effect of the addition of sulfur dioxide was studied. Probe sampling followed by online FTIR analyses and off‐line GC‐TCD/FID analyses allowed the measurement of concentration profiles for the reactants, stable intermediates, and final products. A detailed chemical kinetic modeling of the present experiments was performed. An overall reasonable agreement between the present data and modeling was obtained. According to the present modeling, the mutual sensitization of the oxidation of methane and NO proceeds via the NO to NO₂ conversion by HO₂ and CH₃O₂. The conversion of NO to NO₂ by CH₃O₂ is more important at low temperatures (800 K) than at higher temperatures (850–900 K) where the production of NO₂ is mostly due to the reaction of NO with HO₂. The NO to NO₂ conversion is favored by the production of the HO₂ and CH₃O₂ radicals yielded from the oxidation of the fuel. The production of OH resulting from the oxidation of NO accelerates the oxidation of the fuel: NO + HO₂ → OH+ NO₂ followed by OH + CH₄→ CH₃. In the lower temperature range of this study, the reaction further proceeds via CH₃ + O₂→ CH₃O₂; CH₃O₂+ NO → CH₃O + NO₂. At higher temperatures, the production of CH₃O involves NO₂: CH₃+ NO₂→ CH₃O. This sequence of reactions is followed by CH₃O → CH₂O + H; CH₂O +OH → HCO; HCO + O₂ → HO₂ and H + O₂ → HO₂ → CH₂O + H; CH₂O +OH → HCO; HCO + O₂ → HO₂ and H + O₂ → HO₂. The data and the modeling show that unexpectedly, SO₂ has no measurable effect on the kinetics of the mutual sensitization of the oxidation of NO and methane in the present conditions, whereas it frequently acts as an inhibitor in combustion. This result was rationalized via a detailed kinetic analysis indicating that the inhibiting effect of SO₂ via the sequence of reactions SO₂+H → HOSO, HOSO+O₂ → SO₂+HO₂, equivalent to H+O₂?HO₂, is balanced by the reaction promoting step NO+HO₂ → NO₂+OH. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 406–413, 2005     

An experimental and modeling study of ethanol oxidation kinetics in an atmospheric pressure flow reactor

Experimental profiles of stable species concentrations and temperature are reported for the flow reactor oxidation of ethanol at atmospheric pressure, initial temperatures near 1100 K and equivalence ratios of 0.61–1.24. Acetaldehyde, ethene, and methane appear in roughly equal concentrations as major intermediate species under these conditions. A detailed chemical mechanism is validated by comparison with the experimental species profiles. The importance of including all three isomeric forms of the C₂H₅O radical in such a mechanism is demonstrated. The primary source of ethene in ethanol oxidation is verified to be the decomposition of the C₂H₄OH radical. The agreement between the model and experiment at 1100 K is optimized when the branching ratio of the reactions of C₂H₅OH with OH and H is defined by (30% C₂H₄OH + 50% CH₃CHOH + 20% CH₃CH₂O) + XH. As in methanol oxidation, HO₂ chemistry is very important, while the H + O₂ chain branching reaction plays only a minor role until late in fuel decay, even at temperatures above 1100 K.     

Interaction of methanol with ruthenium

The interaction of methanol with a clean (110) ruthenium surface has been studied using temperatures programmed desorption methods. Methanol dissociates upon adsorption at 300 K and yields H₂(g) and chemisorbed CO as the dominant products. Randomization of evolved hydrogen was shown to occur during methanol adsorption and also upon subsequent thermal desorption using isotopically labeled methanol, CH₃OD. In addition to hydrogen and CO, small amounts of H₂CO, CH₃OH, CO₂, and H₂O, are also observed upon thermal desorption. In contrast with a previous study of formaldehyde on Ru(110), no detectable CH₄ product is found upon methanol desorption.     

Effects of the crystalline structure of Ga2O3 on the photocatalytic activity for CO production from CO2

Ga₂O₃ samples with different crystalline structures were prepared by calcination of a gallium nitrate powder around 800 K. Ga₂O₃ samples with mixed phases of γ and β showed high photocatalytic activity for CO production from CO₂ reduction with water, and the activity was even higher than that for an Ag-loaded β-Ga₂O_3. The photocatalytic activity increased with time. The increase was attributed to the appearance of GaOOH resulting from the interaction of Ga₂O₃ with water during the reaction as revealed by XRD and XPS analyses. In situ FT-IR measurements revealed that bicarbonates and bidentate carbonate species were adsorbed on GaOOH. Therefore, the increase of the photocatalytic activity with time would be derived from the formation of GaOOH phase on the γ-Ga₂O₃ and β-Ga₂O₃ sample.     

Zur Kinetik der Spinellbildung von β-Ga2O3 mit zweiwertigen Oxiden. V. Die Festkörperreaktion 2. Art im System NiO – β-Ga2O3

The Formation of Spinels from β-Ga₂O₃ and Metal Oxides with the Metal in the Oxidation State +2. V. The Solid State Reaction of the Second Kind in the NiO—β-Ga₂O₃ System The reaction of the second kind between Ni_1–zGa_2z/3O, that is NiO presaturated with β-Ga₂O₃, and pure β-Ga₂O₃, which has a negligible solubility for NiO, was investigated between 1 249 and 1 527°C. In accordance with the phase diagram of the NiO—β-Ga₂O₃ system a spinel with the general formula Ni_1–yGa_2+2y/3O₄ is formed in a sandwich type diffusion couple. The reaction follows a parabolic rate law with an activation energy of 84 880 cal/mole; the mechanism is the Wagner mechanism of counterdiffusion of cations. The reaction rate constants of the second kind, determined from interdiffusion profiles in NiO/β-Ga₂O₃ diffusion couples are in good agreement with experimental values.     

Experimental determination of the equilibrium constant of the reaction CH3 + O2 ⇄ CH3O2 during the gas-phase oxidation of methane

For the experimental determination of the equilibrium constant of the reaction CH₃ + O₂ ? CH₃O₂ (1), the process of methane oxidation has been studied over the temperature range of 706–786 K. The concentration of CH₃O₂ has been measured by the radical freezing method, and that of CH₃ from the rate of accumulation of ethane, assuming that C₂H₆ is produced by the reaction CH₃ + CH₃ → C₂H₆ (2). The equilibrium constant of reaction (1) has been obtained at four temperatures. For the heat of the reaction the value Δ?H₂₉₈ = -32.2 ± 1.5 kcal/mol is recommended.     

Optimizing the parameters of the steam-carbon dioxide conversion of methane by Gibbs energy minimization

The thermodynamic equilibrium for the steam-carbon dioxide conversion of methane was studied by Gibbs energy minimization. The degree of coke formation, the content of methane and carbon dioxide in the synthesis gas, and the synthesis gas H₂/CO ratio were plotted as functions of the molar ratios of CO₂/CH₄ and H₂O/CH₄ in the initial mixture at different temperatures and pressures. The regions of the optimum CH₄/CO₂/H₂O molar ratios for steam-carbon dioxide conversion were discovered, with no coke formation taking place in these regions. The optimized CH₄/CO₂/H₂O molar fractions characterized by the minimum content of methane and carbon dioxide in the synthesis gas were found for each region.     

Phase relations in the pseudobinary system TiO2Ga2O3

Phase relations and microstructures in the TiO₂-rich part of the TiO₂Ga₂O₃ pseudobinary system have been determined at temperatures between 1373 and 1623°K using X-ray diffraction and electron and optical microscopy. The phases occurring in the system are TiO₂ (rutile), β-Ga₂O₃, a series of oxides Ga₄Ti_m?4O_2m?2 (m odd) which exist above 1463°K, and Ga₂TiO₅, which exists above 1598°K. The width of the phase region occupied by the Ga₄Ti_m?4O_2m?2 phases varies with temperature. At 1473°K it is narrow, and has limits of Ga₄Ti₂₅O₅₆ to Ga₄Ti₂₁O₄₈ while at higher temperatures it broadens to limits of from Ga₄Ti₂₇O₆₀ to Ga₄Ti₁₁O₂₈ at 1623°K. These phases are often disordered and crystals frequently contain partially ordered intergrowths of oxides with various values of m. On the TiO₂-rich side of the phase region there is a continuous change in texture from rutile to the end members of the Ga₄Ti_m?4O_2m?2 structures. The findings are summarized on a phase diagram.     

Formation of organic peroxides in the photooxidation of CH4

The formation of organic peroxides in the Cl-atom-initiated photooxidation of CH₄ in O₂-N₂ mixtures at 101 325 Pa and 298 K was studied with HPLC and FT-IR methods. Four peroxidic products were detected, which were H₂O₂, hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HOCH₂OOH; HMHP), methyl peroxide (CH300H; MHP) and dimethyl peroxide (CH₃00CH₃). A chromatogram peak at retention time of 8.08 min was assigned tentatively to peroxyformic acid (HC(O)OOH). The identification of HMHP in the reaction system showed that one of the reaction paths for the self-reaction of CH₃00. led to producing Criegee intermediate CH₂OO. The formation mechanism of organic peroxide in the photooxidation of CH₄ is more complicated than it was assumed before. Photooxidation of CH₄ is probably an important source of organic peroxides in the troposphere. Project supported by the State Scientific and Technological Commission of China (Grant No. E96-05)     

The oxidative stream reforming of methane to syngas in a thin tubular mixed-conducting membrane reactor

The oxidative stream reforming of methane (OSRM) to syngas, involving coupling of exothermic partial oxidation of methane (POM) and endothermic steam reforming of methane (SRM) processes, was studied in a thin tubular Al₂O₃-doped SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ membrane reactor packed with a Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. The influences of the temperature and feed concentration on the membrane reaction performances were investigated in detail. The methane and steam conversions increased with increasing the temperature and high conversions were obtained in 850–900 °C. Different from the POM reaction, in the OSRM reaction the temperature and H₂O/CH₄ profoundly influenced the CO selectivity, H₂/CO and heat of the reaction. The CO selectivity increased with increasing the temperature or decreasing the H₂O/CH₄ ratio in the feed owing to the water gas shift reaction (H₂O + CO → CO₂ + H₂). And the H₂ selectivity based on methane conversion was always 100% because the net steam conversion was greater than zero. The H₂/CO in product could be tuned from 1.9 to 2.8 by adjusting the reaction temperature or H₂O/CH₄. Depending on the temperature or H₂O/CH₄, furthermore, the OSRM process could be performed auto-thermally with idealized reaction condition.     

Photocatalytic Dissociation of CH3OH on ZnO(0001) Surface

Photocatalysis of CH₃OH on the ZnO(0001) surface has been investigated by using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method with a 266 nm laser light. TPD results show that part of the CH₃OH adsorbed on ZnO(0001) surface are in molecular form, while others are dissociated. The thermal reaction products of H₂, CH₃^·, H₂O, CO, CH₂O, CO₂ and CH₃OH have been detected. Experiments with the UV laser light indicate that the irradiation can promote the dissociation of CH₃OH/CH₃O^· to form CH₂O, which can be future converted to HCOO^- during heating or illumination. The reaction between CH₃OH_Znand OH_ad can form the H₂O molecule at the Zn site. Both temperature and illumination promote the desorption of CH₃^· from CH₃O^·. The research provides a new insight into the photocatalytic reaction mechanism of CH3OH on ZnO(0001).     

Experimental and kinetic study of shock initiated ignition in homogeneous methane–hydrogen–air mixtures at engine‐relevant conditions

The ignition delay time of two stoichiometric methane/hydrogen/air mixtures has been measured in a shock tube facility at pressures from 16 to 40 atm and temperatures from 1000 to 1300 K. Overall, the observed reduction in ignition delay with some methane replaced by hydrogen is relatively small given the large concentration of hydrogen involved in the current study. With a high hydrogen mole fraction (35% of the total fuel), a reduction of the ignition‐promoting effect was observed with reduced temperature. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism was used to simulate ignitions of test mixtures behind reflected shocks. An analysis of the mechanism indicates that at higher temperatures, the rapid decomposition of hydrogen molecules leads to a quick formation of H radical pools, which promote the chain branching through H + O₂ ? O + OH. At lower temperatures, the branching efficiency of hydrogen is low; a weak effect of hydrogen on methane ignition could be result from the reaction between H₂ and methylperoxy CH₃O₂, which contributes extra H radicals to the reaction system. The effects of hydrogen also decrease with increasing pressure; this is related to the negative pressure dependence of hydrogen at the second ignition limit. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 221–233, 2006     

Thermodynamics,structure and kinetics in the system Ga–O–N

Within the ternary system Ga–O–N we performed experimental and theoretical investigations on the thermodynamics, structure and kinetics of new stable and metastable compounds.We studied the ammonolysis of β-Ga₂O₃ at elevated temperatures by means of ex situ X-ray diffraction, ex situ neutron diffraction, and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). From total diffraction pattern refinement with the Rietveld method we analyzed the anionic occupancy factors and the lattice parameters of β-Ga₂O₃ during the reaction. Within the detection limits of these methods, we can rule out the existence of a crystalline oxynitride phase that is not derived from wurtzite-type GaN. The nitrogen solubility in β-Ga₂O₃ was found to be below the detection limit of about 2–3 at.% in the anionic sublattice. The kinetics of the ammonolysis of β-Ga₂O₃ to α-GaN and of the oxidation of α-GaN to β-Ga₂O₃ was studied by means of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In both cases the reaction kinetics could be described well by fitting linear combinations of β-Ga₂O₃ and α-GaN spectra only, excluding that other crystalline or amorphous phases appear during these reactions. The kinetics of the ammonolysis can be described well by an extended Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorow model with nucleation and growth of GaN nuclei, while the oxidation kinetics can be modeled by a shrinking core model where Ga₂O₃ grows as a layer. Investigations by means of TEM and SEM support the assumptions in both models.To investigate the structure and energetics of spinel-type gallium oxynitrides (γ-galons) we performed first-principles calculations using density-functional theory. In addition to the ideal cubic γ-Ga₃O₃N we studied gallium deficient γ-galons within the Constant-Anion-Model.In highly non-stoichiometric, amorphous gallium oxide of approximate composition GaO_1.2 we found at a temperature around 670 K an insulator–metal transition, with a conductivity jump of seven orders of magnitude. We demonstrate through experimental studies and density-functional theory calculations that the conductivity jump takes place at a critical gallium concentration and is induced by crystallization of stoichiometric β-Ga₂O₃ within the metastable oxide matrix. By doping with nitrogen the critical temperature and the conductivity in the highly conducting state can be tuned.     

Properties of nanostructured GaN prepared by different methods

Various methods have been employed to prepare nanostructured GaN exhibiting reasonable surface areas. The methods include ammonolysis of γ-Ga₂O₃ or Ga₂O₃ prepared in the presence of a surfactant, and the reaction of a mixture of Ga₂O₃ and Ga(acac)₃ with NH₃. The latter reaction was also carried out in the presence of H₃BO₃. All the methods yield good GaN samples as characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and photoluminescence measurements. Relatively high surface areas were obtained with the GaN samples prepared by the ammonolysis of γ-Ga₂O₃ (53 m² g⁻¹), and of Ga₂O₃ prepared in the presence of a surfactant (66 m² g⁻¹). GaN obtained by the reaction of NH₃ with a mixture of Ga₂O₃, Ga(acac)₃ and boric acid gave a surface area of 59 m² g⁻¹. GaN nanoparticles prepared by the nitridation of mesoporous Ga₂O₃ samples generally retain some porosity.     

Production of hydrogen by oxidative steam reforming of methanol over Cu/SiO2 catalysts

Selective production of hydrogen by oxidative steam reforming of methanol (OSRM) was studied over Cu/SiO₂ catalyst using fixed bed flow reactor. Textural and structural properties of the catalyst were analyzed by various instrumental methods. TPR analysis illustrates that the reduction temperature peak was observed between 510?K and 532?K at various copper loadings and calcination temperatures and the peaks shifted to higher temperature with increasing copper loading and calcination temperature. The XRD and XPS analysis demonstrates that the copper existed in different oxidation states at different conditions: Cu₂O, Cu⁰, CuO and Cu(OH)₂ in uncalcined sample; CuO in calcined sample: Cu₂O and metallic Cu after reduction at 600?K and Cu⁰ and CuO after catalytic test. TEM analysis reveals that at various copper loadings, the copper particle size is in the range between 3.0?nm and 3.8?nm. The Cu particle size after catalytic test increased from 3.6 to 4.8?nm, which is due to the formation of oxides of copper as evidenced from XRD and XPS analysis. The catalytic performance at various Cu loadings shows that with increasing Cu loading from 4.7 to 17.3?wt%, the activity increases and thereafter it decreases. Effect of calcination shows that the sample calcined at 673?K exhibited high activity. The O₂/CH₃OH and H₂O/CH₃OH molar ratios play important role in reaction rate and product distribution. The optimum molar ratios of O₂/CH₃OH and H₂O/CH₃OH are 0.25 and 0.1, respectively. When the reaction temperature varied from 473 to 548?K, the methanol conversion and H₂ production rate are in the range of 21.9–97.5% and 1.2–300.9?mmol?kg^?1?s^?1, respectively. The CO selectivity is negligible at these temperatures. Under the optimum conditions (17.3?wt%, Cu/SiO₂; calcination temperature 673?K; 0.25 O₂/CH₃OH molar ratio, 0.5 H₂O/CH₃OH molar ratio and reaction temperature 548?K), the maximum hydrogen yield obtained was 2.45?mol of hydrogen per mole of methanol. The time on stream stability test showed that the Cu/SiO₂ catalyst is quite stable for 48?h.     

Selecting oxygen source for partial oxidation of methane to methanol using microwave plasmas

The methanol selectivity in partial oxidation of methane in microwave plasma reactors is improved by using H₂O in the presence or absence of O₂. The use of H₂O₂ as an oxygen source has a similar effect, although it is less effective than H₂O. The addition of H₂ to the system has little effect on selectivity. Two pathways are suggested for the formation of methanol. One involves a CH₃O^* or CH₃O₂ ^* intermediate, while the other involves a direct combination of CH₃ ^* and OH^* radicals. The first pathway is favored in the presence of O₂ while the latter is favored in the presence of H₂O or H₂O₂. The best results are obtained for the CH4-O₂-H₂O system when methanol is formed through both pathways.     

Intensification of the oxidation of rich methane/air mixtures by O2 molecules excited to the a 1Δg state

Methane oxidation in rich CH₄/air mixtures can be intensified by exciting O₂ molecules to the a ¹Δ_g state. Even small amounts of O₂(a ¹Δ_g) molecules reduce the ignition temperature and shorten the induction period. As compared to the oxidation of ordinary methane/air mixtures, oxidation in the presence of excited oxygen makes it possible to convert methane into synthesis gas (H₂ + CO) at low initial temperatures of ≈600 K and atmospheric pressure and to raise the H₂ and CO yields at a fixed reactor length.