ChE-410 Catalysis for emission control and energy processes

Summary

The course is an introduction to heterogeneous catalysis for environmental protection and energy production. It focusses on catalytic exhaust gas cleaning as well as catalytic systems relevant for gaseous and liquid fuel production. The course ends with two days of experimental exercises at PSI.

Summary (fr)

Le cours est une introduction à la catalyse hétérogène pour la protection de l'environnement et la production d'énergie. Il se concentre sur l'épuration des gaz d'échappement et sur les systèmes catalytiques pour la production de carburants. Le cours se termine par des travaux pratiques au PSI.

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, NOx storage reduction catalyst, soot filtration/oxidation, 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 on the topics emission control, catalyst characterization and gaseous fuel synthesis will be conducted.

Emission control and energy processes will be teached 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 a two-day lab excursion to the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) in the northern part of Switzerland, where interesting experiments will be conducted on 5-6 Jan 2021. In case of more than 10 students a second two-day lab excursion will be offered on 7-8 Jan 2021. In case of time conflicts the dates can be shifted by agreement with all students.