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Catalysts, Volume 2, Issue 2 (June 2012) – 6 articles , Pages 223-326

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597 KiB  
Review
Application of Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in Biomass to Liquid Conversion
by Jin Hu, Fei Yu and Yongwu Lu
Catalysts 2012, 2(2), 303-326; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal2020303 - 15 Jun 2012
Cited by 147 | Viewed by 27422
Abstract
Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is a set of catalytic processes that can be used to produce fuels and chemicals from synthesis gas (mixture of CO and H2), which can be derived from natural gas, coal, or biomass. Biomass to Liquid via Fischer–Tropsch (BTL-FT) [...] Read more.
Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is a set of catalytic processes that can be used to produce fuels and chemicals from synthesis gas (mixture of CO and H2), which can be derived from natural gas, coal, or biomass. Biomass to Liquid via Fischer–Tropsch (BTL-FT) synthesis is gaining increasing interests from academia and industry because of its ability to produce carbon neutral and environmentally friendly clean fuels; such kinds of fuels can help to meet the globally increasing energy demand and to meet the stricter environmental regulations in the future. In the BTL-FT process, biomass, such as woodchips and straw stalk, is firstly converted into biomass-derived syngas (bio-syngas) by gasification. Then, a cleaning process is applied to remove impurities from the bio-syngas to produce clean bio-syngas which meets the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis requirements. Cleaned bio-syngas is then conducted into a Fischer–Tropsch catalytic reactor to produce green gasoline, diesel and other clean biofuels. This review will analyze the three main steps of BTL-FT process, and discuss the issues related to biomass gasification, bio-syngas cleaning methods and conversion of bio-syngas into liquid hydrocarbons via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Some features in regard to increasing carbon utilization, enhancing catalyst activity, maximizing selectivity and avoiding catalyst deactivation in bio-syngas conversion process are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts for Biomass Conversion)
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76 KiB  
Editorial
New Frontiers in Gold Catalyzed Reactions
by Leonarda F. Liotta
Catalysts 2012, 2(2), 299-302; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal2020299 - 29 May 2012
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 6238
Abstract
For many years, gold has been regarded as a poor catalyst due to its chemical inertness towards reactive molecules such as oxygen and hydrogen. The interest in using gold in catalysis has increased during the last 20 years, since Haruta reported the surprisingly [...] Read more.
For many years, gold has been regarded as a poor catalyst due to its chemical inertness towards reactive molecules such as oxygen and hydrogen. The interest in using gold in catalysis has increased during the last 20 years, since Haruta reported the surprisingly high activity in CO oxidation at low temperature for small (3–5 nm) gold particles supported on various oxides. [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Catalysts)
389 KiB  
Article
Hot and Dry Cleaning of Biomass-Gasified Gas Using Activated Carbons with Simultaneous Removal of Tar, Particles, and Sulfur Compounds
by Toshiaki Hanaoka, Kotetsu Matsunaga, Tomohisa Miyazawa, Satoshi Hirata and Kinya Sakanishi
Catalysts 2012, 2(2), 281-298; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal2020281 - 08 May 2012
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7576
Abstract
This study proposes a gas-cleaning process for the simultaneous removal of sulfur compounds, tar, and particles from biomass-gasified gas using Fe-supported activated carbon and a water-gas shift reaction. On a laboratory scale, the simultaneous removal of H2S and COS was performed [...] Read more.
This study proposes a gas-cleaning process for the simultaneous removal of sulfur compounds, tar, and particles from biomass-gasified gas using Fe-supported activated carbon and a water-gas shift reaction. On a laboratory scale, the simultaneous removal of H2S and COS was performed under a mixture of gases (H2/CO/CO2/CH4/C2H4/N2/H2S/COS/steam). The reactions such as COS + H2 → H2S + CO and COS + H2O → H2S + CO2 and the water-gas shift reaction were promoted on the Fe-supported activated carbon. The adsorption capacity with steam was higher than that without steam. On a bench scale, the removal of impurities from a gas derived from biomass gasification was investigated using two activated filters packed with Fe-supported activated carbon. H2S and COS, three- and four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particles were removed and a water-gas shift reaction was promoted through the first filter at 320–350 °C. The concentrations of H2S and COS decreased to less than 0.1 ppmv. Particles and the one- and two-ring PAHs, except for benzene, were then removed through the second filter at 60–170 °C. The concentration of tar and particles decreased from 2428 to 102 mg Nm−3 and from 2244 to 181 mg Nm−3, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts for Biomass Conversion)
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633 KiB  
Article
Sulfur Tolerant Magnesium Nickel Silicate Catalyst for Reforming of Biomass Gasification Products to Syngas
by Richard Q. Long, Scott M. Monfort, Gene B. Arkenberg, Paul H. Matter and Scott L. Swartz
Catalysts 2012, 2(2), 264-280; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal2020264 - 17 Apr 2012
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8075
Abstract
Magnesium nickel silicate (MNS) has been investigated as a catalyst to convert tars and light hydrocarbons to syngas (CO and H2) by steam reforming and CO2 reforming in the presence of H2S for biomass gasification process at NexTech [...] Read more.
Magnesium nickel silicate (MNS) has been investigated as a catalyst to convert tars and light hydrocarbons to syngas (CO and H2) by steam reforming and CO2 reforming in the presence of H2S for biomass gasification process at NexTech Materials. It was observed that complete CH4 conversion could be achieved on MNS catalyst granules at 800–900 °C and a space velocity of 24,000 mL/g/h in a simulated biomass gasification stream. Addition of 10–20 ppm H2S to the feed had no apparent impact on CH4 conversion. The MNS-washcoated monolith also showed high activities in converting methane, light hydrocarbons and tar to syngas. A 1200 h test without deactivation was achieved on the MNS washcoated monolith in the presence of H2S and/or NH3, two common impurities in gasified biomass. The results indicate that the MNS material is a promising catalyst for removal of tar and light hydrocarbons from biomass gasified gases, enabling efficient use of biomass to produce power, liquid fuels and valuable chemicals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts for Biomass Conversion)
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247 KiB  
Review
Biomass Converting Enzymes as Industrial Biocatalysts for Fuels and Chemicals: Recent Developments
by Matt D. Sweeney and Feng Xu
Catalysts 2012, 2(2), 244-263; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal2020244 - 12 Apr 2012
Cited by 153 | Viewed by 14238
Abstract
The economic utilization of abundant lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock for the production of fuel and chemicals would represent a profound shift in industrial carbon utilization, allowing sustainable resources to substitute for, and compete with, petroleum based products. In order to exploit biomass [...] Read more.
The economic utilization of abundant lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock for the production of fuel and chemicals would represent a profound shift in industrial carbon utilization, allowing sustainable resources to substitute for, and compete with, petroleum based products. In order to exploit biomass as a source material for production of renewable compounds, it must first be broken down into constituent compounds, such as sugars, that can be more easily converted in chemical and biological processes. Lignocellulose is, unfortunately, a heterogeneous and recalcitrant material which is highly resistant to depolymerization. Many microorganisms have evolved repertoires of enzyme activities which act in tandem to decompose the various components of lignocellulosic biomass. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of these enzymes, with particular regard to those activities deemed likely to be applicable in commercialized biomass utilization processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts for Biomass Conversion)
1095 KiB  
Article
Application of Heterogeneous Catalysis in Small-Scale Biomass Combustion Systems
by René Bindig, Saad Butt, Ingo Hartmann, Mirjam Matthes and Christian Thiel
Catalysts 2012, 2(2), 223-243; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal2020223 - 12 Apr 2012
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 9864
Abstract
Combustion of solid biomass fuels for heat generation is an important renewable energy resource. The major part among biomass combustion applications is being played by small-scale systems like wood log stoves and small wood pellet burners, which account for 75% of the overall [...] Read more.
Combustion of solid biomass fuels for heat generation is an important renewable energy resource. The major part among biomass combustion applications is being played by small-scale systems like wood log stoves and small wood pellet burners, which account for 75% of the overall biomass heat production. Despite an environmentally friendly use of renewable energies, incomplete combustion in small-scale systems can lead to the emission of environmental pollutants as well as substances which are hazardous to health. Besides particles of ash and soot, a wide variety of gaseous substances can also be emitted. Among those, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and several organic volatile and semi-volatile compounds (VOC) are present. Heterogeneous catalysis is applied for the reduction of various gaseous compounds as well as soot. Some research has been done to examine the application of catalytic converters in small-scale biomass combustion systems. In addition to catalyst selection with respect to complete oxidation of different organic compounds, parameters such as long-term stability and durability under flue gas conditions are considered for use in biomass combustion furnaces. Possible catalytic procedures have been identified for investigation by literature and market research. Experimental studies with two selected oxidation catalysts based on noble metals have been carried out on a wood log stove with a retrofit system. The measurements have been performed under defined conditions based on practical mode of operation. The measurements have shown that the catalytic flue gas treatment is a promising method to reduce carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Even a reduction of particulate matter was observed, although no filtering effect could be detected. Therefore, the oxidation of soot or soot precursors can be assumed. The selected catalysts differed in their activity, depending on the compound to be oxidized. Examinations showed that the knitted wire catalyst showed better activity for the reduction of carbon monoxide, whereas the honeycomb induced a higher reduction of aromatic compounds. The properties of the two catalysts can be combined by integrating both together. The one drawback of the catalyst so far is the deactivation for the conversion of methane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts for Biomass Conversion)
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