Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Serena Poto, Thomas Vink, Pierre Oliver, Fausto Gallucci, M. Fernanda Neira d'Angelo
Summary: This study investigates the impact of membrane reactor technology with in-situ removal of water on the synthesis of DME via CO2 hydrogenation. The membrane reactor allows for a significant decrease in catalyst mass and H2 feed flow, as well as a reduction in utilities and CO2 emissions. The membrane technology contributes to a remarkable improvement in operating costs, although the current DME market price is much lower. However, with predicted decreases in renewable H2 price and zero-to-negative cost for CO2 feedstock, the membrane-assisted system could become competitive in the future.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Matteo Fedeli, Francesco Negri, Flavio Manenti
Summary: This study aims to optimize the conversion of biogas into bio-DME using a novel conceptual design. The economic and environmental feasibility was assessed using Aspen HYSYS V11 suite, and sensitivity analysis was conducted. The results show that the proposed process has a competitive payback period and high bio-DME yield.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
A. Ateka, P. Rodriguez-Vega, J. Erena, A. T. Aguayo, J. Bilbao
Summary: This review discusses the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from CO2 and syngas, highlighting the thermodynamics, catalyst preparation, kinetic modeling, reactor design, and reaction strategies. It provides detailed information on the kinetic models proposed in the literature and their corresponding catalyst and reaction conditions. The article also addresses the issue of catalyst deactivation, quantifies coke deposition using various kinetic models, and explores the limitations imposed by the presence of water in the reaction medium. The advantages and limitations of different reactors and the challenges in implementing the direct CO2 to DME synthesis process are also discussed.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ce Du, Emmerson Hondo, Linet Gapu Chizema, Riswan Hassan Ali, Xiaoning Chang, Lin Dai, Qingxiang Ma, Peng Lu, Noritatsu Tsubaki
Summary: This paper presents a tailor-made microcapsule catalyst that integrates a metal oxide catalyst as core and modified zeolite as shell, creating a multifunctional composite catalyst for one-step ethanol synthesis. The catalyst showed impressive conversion and selectivity, along with easy regeneration.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Inigo Perez-Miqueo, Oihane Sanz, Mario Montes
Summary: Different structured catalytic reactors for direct DME synthesis were compared based on catalyst hold-up, thermal conductivity, and volumetric productivity. Coating method shows advantages over packed-bed monolith in terms of catalyst inventory per reactor volume, but completely filling a monolith with powder catalyst leads to a significant decrease in CO conversion. The nature and shape of the substrate have minimal impact on the CO conversion values and selectivity to different compounds.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Chen, Wensheng Wei, Yunsheng Gao, Yuxin Wang, Zizhen Yan, Zhanguo Zhang, Haiming Yu, Guangwen Xu, Lei Shi
Summary: Ionic liquid [Emim]IM with high thermal stability and strong basicity was synthesized and used as a catalyst for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The [Emim]IM catalyst exhibited good stability and catalytic activity.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
A. Ateka, P. Rodriguez-Vega, J. Erena, A. T. Aguayo, J. Bilbao
Summary: The direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) on bifunctional catalysts is attractive for valorizing CO2 and syngas from biomass gasification. Performing methanol synthesis and its dehydration in the same reactor favors the formation of DME from CO2 and CO2 co-fed with syngas. Catalyst performance has been improved by modifying the composition and properties to enhance activity, selectivity, and minimize deactivation. The core-shell configuration of the bifunctional catalyst improves stability by separating the environments of methanol synthesis and its conversion into DME.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Organic
M. Afokin, M. Magomedova
Summary: Several process solutions for one-step synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME), including recovery from gaseous and liquid phases, were reviewed. It was found that energy-intensive absorption is the most common method for DME recovery from a gaseous stream. World licensors of one-step DME synthesis provide an additional dehydration reactor to utilize methanol co-product. Energy and capital intensity were estimated for two DME production options, with the one-step option being inferior to the two-step design in terms of key cost factors.
PETROLEUM CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hamid Reza Godini, Arash Rahimalimamaghani, Seyed Saeid Hosseini, Innokentij Bogatykh, Fausto Gallucci
Summary: The conceptual design and engineering of an integrated catalytic reactor requires a thorough understanding of the prevailing mechanisms and phenomena to ensure a safe operation while achieving desirable efficiency and product yields. This investigation demonstrates the necessity and importance of these requirements in the case of CO2 hydrogenation, and presents the development of a carbon molecular sieve membrane and hybrid catalyst.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qiaobei Dong, Weiwei L. Xu, Xiao Fan, Huazheng Li, Naomi Klinghoffer, Travis Pyrzynski, Howard S. Meyer, Xinhua Liang, Miao Yu, Shiguang Li
Summary: Dimethyl ether (DME) has the potential to be an environmentally friendly substitute for diesel and LPG. A novel catalytic membrane reactor was developed to synthesize DME directly from CO2 and renewable H2, addressing environmental and fuel security issues.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
P. Schuehle, R. Stoeber, M. Semmel, A. Schaadt, R. Szolak, S. Thill, M. Alders, C. Hebling, P. Wasserscheid, O. Salem
Summary: This paper highlights the potential of the DME/CO2 storage cycle for long-distance point-to-point transport of renewable hydrogen. This technology has been overlooked thus far, but it offers significant advantages such as higher energy efficiency, reduced mass flows, lower water consumption, and lower toxicological risks compared to other hydrogen vectors.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Warangthat Kriprasertkul, Thongthai Witoon, Pattaraporn Kim-Lohsoontorn
Summary: This study investigated the two steps of dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis from CO2 and H-2, including CO2 hydrogenation to methanol through ethanol-assisted method and methanol dehydration to DME. The addition of ZrO2, Al2O3, and ZrO(2)eAl(2)O(3) into Cu/ZnO catalyst was studied, and suitable zeolite for methanol dehydration was determined. The results showed that ethanol-assisted method and the Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 catalyst provided high methanol yield and CO2 conversion. Ferrierite zeolite exhibited the highest DME productivity. The synthesis of DME and ethylene from CO2 and H-2 through ethanol-assisted methanol synthesis and methanol dehydration has potential applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Karima Krim, Alexander Sachse, Anthony Le Valant, Yannick Pouilloux, Smain Hocine
Summary: The study focuses on developing bifunctional catalytic materials for the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from CO2 and H-2. Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 is used as the catalyst for the first step in methanol synthesis from CO2 and H-2, and it is combined with hollow nano-ZSM-5 zeolites with mesoporous shell as the acid catalyst for the second step of methanol dehydration to DME. The bifunctional materials were tested under specific conditions and produced mainly DME (77.5%) and methanol (22.5%), without the presence of carbon monoxide.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
K. D. P. Lakshmee Kumar, B. Neelam Naidu, Hemkant Saini, Kaushik Ghosh, V. V. D. N. Prasad, Prasenjit Mondal
Summary: Concerns on environmental pollution and climate change have driven interest in dimethyl ether (DME) as a clean fuel alternative. This study investigated the influence of precursor phase transition of methanol synthesis catalyst on the hybrid catalyst's activity for direct syngas to DME process. The results showed that the catalyst derived from the phase pure hydrotalcite precursor exhibited higher catalytic activity and selectivity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silvana Luz, Javier Rivas, Alexandra Afonso, Fatima Carvalho
Summary: The study analyzed winery wastewater from the Village of Vidigueira in southern Portugal, revealing challenges such as acidic pH, high COD, and turbidity. Adding lime solution can effectively remove pollutants from the wastewater, resulting in a precipitate rich in various elements.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Javier Erena, Ainara Ateka
Article
Engineering, Environmental
David Trueba, Roberto Palos, Javier Bilbao, Jose M. Arandes, Alazne Gutierrez
Summary: This study conducted kinetic modeling of the hydrocracking of a mixture of polystyrene (PS) and vacuum gasoil (VGO). Different reaction networks and kinetic models were studied, and the optimal conditions for maximizing the yield of naphtha and complete conversion of PS were determined. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for scaling-up studies on the large-scale valorization of waste plastics.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Leire Landa, Aingeru Remiro, Beatriz Valle, Javier Bilbao, Ana G. Gayubo
Summary: The choice of reactors and reforming strategies significantly affects H2 production from raw bio-oil. Packed-bed and fluidized-bed reactors were compared in terms of conversion, product yields, and deactivation using a NiAl2O4 spinel catalyst for steam reforming and sorption enhanced steam reforming (with dolomite to capture CO2). The results showed that the FBR had lower H2 yields due to less efficient gas-solid contact. Catalyst deactivation was related to coke deposition and varied depending on the reactor type and reforming strategy. The presence of dolomite extended the stable catalyst activity period in both reactors.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Onintze Parra, Ander Portillo, Javier Erena, Andres T. Aguayo, Javier Bilbao, Ainara Ateka
Summary: The direct production of C5+ hydrocarbons from CO2/CO mixtures with methanol as intermediate using metallic oxides and zeolite as catalysts was studied. CuO-ZnO-ZrO2 (CZZ) catalyst showed high methanol yield but suffered from sintering issue. In2O3-ZrO2 (IZ) and ZnO-ZrO2 (ZZ) catalysts demonstrated good activity, selectivity, and stability. ZZ/HZSM-5 catalyst achieved excellent results with a 20.7% yield of C5+ hydrocarbons, isoparaffinic gasoline composition, and high versatility.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Francisco J. Vela, Roberto Palos, Suni Rodriguez, M. Josune Azkoiti, Javier Bilbao, Alazne Gutierrez
Summary: In this study, the co-hydrocracking of HDPE with VGO over a PtPd/HY catalyst was investigated for converting the blend into high-quality fuels. The effects of reaction time on product yields and composition were assessed. Results showed that a naphtha fraction rich in 1-ring aromatics with a RON value of 92.5 and an LCO fraction mainly iso-paraffinic with a cetane index of 43.8 were obtained at 120 min. The coke deposited on the catalyst was found to be mainly formed at short contact times (< 15 min) and less condensed at long contact times.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leire Landa, Aingeru Remiro, Jose Valecillos, Javier Bilbao, Ana G. Gayubo
Summary: This study examines the thermodynamics of the combined steam-dry reforming (CSDR) process using bio-oil as a raw material and H2O and CO2 as reactants. Through Gibbs energy minimization calculations, the syngas yield, CO2 conversion, and reduction of CO2 emissions are evaluated. The results show that CSDR technology has great potential for sustainable syngas production and decarbonization, but the optimal operating conditions depend on the feed composition and the S/C and CO2/C ratios.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Irati Garcia, Laura Santamaria, Gartzen Lopez, Javier Bilbao, Martin Olazar, Maider Amutio, Maite Artetxe
Summary: This study analyzes the production of hydrogen gas through biomass pyrolysis and catalytic reforming. By optimizing process parameters and utilizing a two-step reaction system, the researchers were able to achieve higher hydrogen yields by adjusting the equivalence ratio.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Santiago Orozco, Laura Santamaria, Maite Artetxe, Jon Alvarez, Javier Bilbao, Martin Olazar, Gartzen Lopez
Summary: The continuous catalytic fast pyrolysis of plastics was studied using a conical spouted bed reactor equipped with a fountain confiner and draft tube. An inexpensive equilibrium fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst was used. Operating under oxidative conditions improved product distribution and catalyst activity and stability. The role of the presence of air in the reaction environment on catalyst stability and deactivation mechanism was assessed.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Maria Cortazar, Jon Alvarez, Gartzen Lopez, Maider Amutio, Maite Artetxe, Javier Bilbao, Martin Olazar
Summary: The combination of delocalized units for biomass pyrolysis and centralized units for bio-oil gasification is an economically attractive option for full-scale syngas production. The study focuses on validating a bio-oil feeding device and assessing the effect of gasification temperature on gas properties and conversion efficiency. The results show that increasing temperature promotes tar reduction, carbon conversion efficiency, and gas yield.
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. Portillo, O. Parra, J. Erena, A. T. Aguayo, J. Bilbao, A. Ateka
Summary: By using In2O3-ZrO2/SAPO-34 tandem catalyst, the deactivation of the catalyst due to rapid coke deposition on SAPO-34 can be avoided in the direct synthesis of olefins. Co-feeding H2O and/or methanol can alleviate coke deactivation, but high H2O concentration may lower the acidity of SAPO-34, limiting the performance of the tandem catalyst.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ander Portillo, Onintze Parra, Andres T. Aguayo, Javier Erena, Javier Bilbao, Ainara Ateka
Summary: The configuration and reduction effect of the In2O3-ZrO2/SAPO-34 catalyst were studied to enhance its performance in the hydrogenation of CO, CO2, and CO2/CO mixtures. The combination of SAPO-34 and In2O3-ZrO2 catalysts in a mass ratio of 1/2 showed better performance than hybrid catalysts prepared via pelletizing and the arrangement of individual catalysts in a dual bed. The deactivation and pseudo-steady state activity of the catalyst were influenced by the CO2 content in the feed.
Article
Thermodynamics
Zuria Tabernilla, Ainara Ateka, Javier Bilbao, Andres T. Aguayo, Eva Epelde
Summary: The ethylene oligomerization into liquid fuels under slightly over atmospheric pressure is a promising way to utilize excess ethylene and intensify fuel production from refinery secondary streams. Experimental runs were conducted in a fixed-bed reactor using a hierarchical porous catalyst, and results showed a high yield of C5+ liquid fuel at temperatures above 325 degrees C. The matrix in the catalyst played a significant role in attenuating deactivation and the cracking of hard coke.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aitor Arregi, Laura Santamaria, Gartzen Lopez, Martin Olazar, Javier Bilbao, Maite Artetxe, Maider Amutio
Summary: The pyrolysis and in line steam reforming of different types of agroforestry biomass wastes were studied, and their effects on conversion, product yields and H2 production were evaluated. The composition of pyrolysis volatiles obtained from different biomasses resulted in variations in activity and catalyst deactivation rate.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
