Catalysis for emission control and energy processes
Summary
The course is an introduction to heterogeneous catalysis for environmental protection and energy production. It focuses on catalytic exhaust gas cleaning as well as gaseous and liquid fuel production. The course content is intensified in experimental exercises in the lecturer's laboratories.
Content
- Basic introduction into heterogeneous catalysis
- Preparation of heterogeneous catalysts
- Characterization of heterogeneous catalysts
- Exhaust gas catalysis for stationary power plants and internal combustion engines: Three-way-catalysis, oxidation catalysts, selective catalytic reduction, methane oxidation, SOx, volatile organic compounds, ...
- Short introduction to gaseous and liquid fuels: refinery, coal, biomass gasification and renewable fuel production
- Control the CO/CO2/H2 ratio and downstream synthesis: water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction, partial oxidation (POX), reforming reactions, methanation, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
- Interesting experiments in the research laboratory on ammonia synthesis, catalyst preparation and CO2 methanation.
Emission control and energy processes will be taught partly by means of examples from research, showing how the basics of catalysis, advanced catalyst preparation and catalyst characterization are used to understand and develop catalytic systems in this field.
Another highlight will be the experimental exercises in the lecturer's research laboratories. Every two weeks, experiments will be conducted on topics of the lecture to intensify the lecture content:
- Preparation of an ammonia synthesis catalyst
- Ammonia synthesis
- CO2 methanation (Sabatier reaction)
Keywords
Heterogeneous catalysis
Emission control
Exhaust gas catalysis
Fuel synthesis
Renewable fuels
Learning Prerequisites
Recommended courses
Introduction to chemical engineering
Chemical engineering of heterogeneous reactions
Chemical kinetics and thermodynamics
Mass & heat transfer
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Select appropriately catalytic systems for different reactions
- Describe different catalytic exhaust cleaning technologies
- Explain the composition and structure-function relationships of different catalytic systems
- List the relevant chemical reactions
- Design an experiment for catalytic tests
- Select appropriately catalyst characterization methods
- Use the specific nomenclature in the field and calculate basic parameters
- Assess / Evaluate the performance of heterogeneous catalysts
- Conduct simple catalytic tests
- Perform basic catalyst characterizations
Teaching methods
4 hours every two weeks ex cathedra using Powerpoint slides. Examples will be shown to illustrate theory.
Experimental exercises will be conducted in the lecturer's laboratories in the weeks between the lecture lessons. Students will work in small groups of 3-4.
Expected student activities
Taking notes in the course hours.
Preparing, conducting and reporting exercises.
Assessment methods
One final written open-book exam.
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | No |
Resources
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
No
Notes/Handbook
Students have access to the slides few days before each lesson.
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Catalysis for emission control and energy processes
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Catalysis for emission control and energy processes
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Catalysis for emission control and energy processes
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional