Environment & New Fuel
Environment & new fuel sources
 |
CO2 |
From industrial exhausts
and other atmospheric sources
|
| CH4 |
Natural gas
Other natural sources
|
|
Fuels
Energy
|
Energy storage and fuels
Synthetic hydrocarbons (C2 to C3 and
C5 to C12, gasoline, diesel) and methanol
|
Facilities
Resource facilities
The Laboratory of Catalysis(LC) tem has access to a broad range of techniques at the Nuclear and Technological Institute. The facilities includes analytical techniques for molecular and macromolecular characterization such as NMR, FTIR, Mass Spectrometry, Elemental Analysis (C, H, N, S), Thermal Analysis (TG, DSC), X-Ray (powder and single crystal), Gas Chromatography (CG, with TCD and FID detectors), etc.
Several reactor systems are available at the LC, including pressure reactors (autoclaves) and plug-flow type reactors (Pyrex and quartz) for measurements at atmospheric pressure. Facilities for CO safety manipulation and techniques such as TPR and TPD for catalysts characterization are also installed
On line GC analysis(TCD e FID) is the main technique used to follow the catalytic reactions. Three GC are available (Agilent 4890D with TCD, Agilent 7820, with FID and Shimadzu 9A, with TCD and FID) either for reactivity studies or for thermal characterization of the catalysts (TPR, TPD of selected molecules).
Resource facilities for the synthesis of ligands and compounds under inert atmosphere, namely glove boxes, are also on hand. The LC has also access to unusual facilities for catalysts preparation such as synthesis in liquid ammonia.
Projects
Research projects
The LC has been doing research in several areas. The catalytic reactions and process under investigation are based on the activation of pollutant C1 substrates such as CH4 and CO2. The LC is also engaged in partnership projects with the industry.
A brief summary of selected projects is given below.
Oxidative Coupling of Methane using f Block Element Intermetallic Compounds as Catalytic Precursors a
The main objective of this project was to study LnCu2 (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tm) and AnCu2 (An=Th, U) intermetallic compounds as catalyst precursors for the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons (C2H6 and C2H4), with high ethylene selectivity.
a (FCT/POCTI/QUI/35394/2000), J. alloys Comp. 478 (2009) 687-693, J. Alloys Compd., 464 (2008) 399-406.
Electrochemical and selective conversion of carbon dioxide b
Partnership with OMNIDEA (AeroSpace Technology and Energy Systems) Lda., ESA supported project “Energon - Space Long Term R&D, ESA / ESTEC - OMNIDEA, Contract No. 19594 / 06 / NL / PA”. Patent: INPI, Pt-105566.
b Protocolo ITN-QIO/OMNIDEA (2000 - ...)
Coupling catalysts with non thermal plasma for the decomposition of volatile organic compounds c
Development of a catalyst – non thermal plasma system for the activation of methane and production of syngas and hydrocarbons. Partnership ITN/ISEL. Patent: INPI, Pt-105078.
c (FC/PTDC/Equ-Equ/65126/2006), J. Mol. Catal. A: Chemical 320 (2010) 47–55; J. Alloys Comp. 497 (2010) 249–258; Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing 31 (2011) 427-439
Chloride molten metal salts catalysts of the type potassium-lanthanide d
Study of chloride molten salts of the type potassium-lanthanide for the catalytic reduction of nitrous oxide by methane and production of hydrocarbons.
d (FCT/PTDC/QUI/72290/2006), Catalysis Communications 12 (2011) 1425-1427
CO2 mitigation and production of methanol by reforming of CH4 e
Methanol production using methane and carbon dioxide as feedstock.
e (FCT/PTDC/AAG-TEC/3324/2012 - 2015)
Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Plasma Conversion of Methane f
Syngas production and increase of energy efficiency of non-thermal plasma.
f (FCT/PTDC/FIS-PLA/2135/2012 - 2015)
+351.219946116, email: