Catalyst and Process Engineering (ING)

• Waste and Biomass to fuel (Dr Y. Schuurman)

We look at different processes to convert wastes and biomass to gasoline. We study two main approaches of gasification and pyrolysis processes. For the gasification route, we investigate autothermal reforming reactor using structured catalysts. For the pyrolysis route, we study both bio-oil pyrolysis and its upgrading by FCC process thanks to specially designed test rig. A point of focus is the effect of feed composition and impurities on the activity, selectivity and poisoning of catalysts.

• Biogas reforming for green Hydrogen production (Dr. N Guilhaume)

https://hydrogeneurope.eu/project/biorobur

We study advanced and robust Biogas processing technologies for efficient hydrogen production. Our technology is based on a catalytic autothermal reforming route using easily-recoverable noble-metal catalysts supported on high-heat-conductivity cellular materials. This technology shows advantages compared to steam reforming: catalysts less prone to coking, easier adaptability to biogas changing composition, more compact design, efficient handling of heat, lower materials costs, fast start-up/shut-down, easier process control, etc.

• Green chemistry and sustainable energy (Dr. E. Alessandra Quadrelli)

The conversion of CO₂ into chemicals and fuels, with particular attention to industrial perspectives and large‐volume options.

https://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/1388963/Green_Carbon_Dioxide__Interview_with_A__Quadrelli_and_G__Centi.html

• Adsorption processes at solid interfaces (Dr. C. Daniel)

Although adsorption of reactants and desorption of products are two elementary steps of catalytic processes, the quantification of adsorption and diffusion rates on/in catalysts are usually overlooked. We can measure adsorption and diffusion in relevant conditions that provide key indications on catalyst or process design. In the context of innovation, our expertise has already led to the discovery and scale-up of successful adsorbents for atmospheric Xenon capture and air purification from ammonia, a Toxic Industrial Compounds (TIC)

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00790874/

• MOF upscaling and energy storage (Dr. D. Farrusseng)

MOFs have been discovered about 20 years ago. Among the infinite possible structures, about a dozen of MOFs are commercially available at gram scale, but at a cost that prevent large scale R&D programs. We have entirely revisited synthesis processes and starting from cheap and available raw materials to achieve +100 kg/day scale production of high quality MOF, for example using spray-drying technology. We also study energy related applications, such as methane storage or chilling application using wasted heat.

• Molecular catalytic materials (Dr. J. Canivet)

We are investigating new catalytic systems based on The Concept of Solid Porous Macroligands which address current challenges in fine chemicals synthesis and clean energy production by bridging homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis using hybrid porous catalysts, especially Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF). We also study novel purely organic porous platforms allows addressing new challenges in heterogeneous catalysis while tackling issues on stability and control over active site: Covalent Organic Frameworks (COF) and Conjugated Microporous Polymers (CMP). Applications range from C-C coupling to asymmetry, photocatalysis and solar fuels.

• New zeolites and catalytic supports (Dr. A. Tuel)

Synthetic zeolites are key catalysts for refinery and petro-chemical applications. We investigate original synthesis approaches to develop zeolites with unprecedent morphologies, such as hollow zeolites for encapsulation purposes and zeolites with high control of surface chemistry in order to tune their hydrophily-hydrophoby balance.

• Catalysis by metals and supported nanoparticles (Dr. J-L. Rousset, Dr. F. Morfin)

Most of hydrogenation and oxidation processes are catalyzed by supported metal based catalysts, such as Pt/alumina or Pd/silica. Based on detailed surface chemistry studies, we investigate the reaction mechanisms, especially on the composition (alloy) and size effects of the metal particles (Single Atom Surface – SAC) and its interaction with the surface in line with the concept of Strong Metal Surface Interaction (SMSI)

• In-situ & Operando studies (Dr. F. Meunier)

Catalyst active sites usually evolves at reaction conditions. This is particularly true for the surface of catalyst particles which often get restructured as their composition, oxidation state and morphology change with time on stream. By means of IR reactor cell, we study and characterize catalytic sites at work which allow to identify true catalytic sites and to establish structure activity relationships.

• Kinetics and transient studies (Dr. Y. Schuurman)

• Reactor automation & modular control (E. Landrivon)

Development of software and hardware solutions for control and monitoring of catalytic reactors