Article
Energy & Fuels
Danhua Mei, Peng Zhang, Shiyun Liu, Liang Ding, Yichen Ma, Renwu Zhou, Haochi Gu, Zhi Fang, Patrick J. Cullen, Xin Tu
Summary: The composition of gases has a significant impact on the key performance of plasma tar reforming process. The presence of oxidative gases can enhance the reactivity of plasma environment and create new reaction pathways. Optimal content of CO2, H2O, and O-2 can balance the conversion of toluene, syngas yield, and energy efficiency in plasma reforming.
JOURNAL OF THE ENERGY INSTITUTE
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ruiyang Xu, Xiangzhi Kong, Hao Zhang, Petric Marc Ruya, Xiaodong Li
Summary: This study investigated a modified plasma reactor coupled with a Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst for the steam reforming of gasification tar, using toluene as a surrogate. By placing the catalyst sufficiently far from the anode, toluene conversion was increased, demonstrating synergy between plasma and catalysis. Furthermore, increasing Ni loading in the catalyst also significantly improved toluene conversion.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bin Xu, Jianjun Xie, Nantao Wang, Yanqin Huang, Huacai Liu, Xiuli Yin, Chuangzhi Wu, Xin Tu
Summary: Steam reforming of toluene was conducted in a DBD plasma reactor with Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. The study investigated the effects of reaction temperature, catalyst calcination temperature, and permittivity of packing materials on the reaction performance and synergistic effect of plasma catalysis. The results showed that toluene conversion initially decreased and then increased with temperature, achieving a high conversion rate of 87.1% at 450°C. Catalysts prepared at lower calcination temperatures or with higher permittivity packing materials exhibited better performance due to larger Ni surface area and higher surface discharge. The study highlighted the potential of this approach for sustainable hydrogen production.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Wen Tang, Jing-Pei Cao, Zi-Meng He, Wei Jiang, Zhi-Hao Wang, Xiao-Yan Zhao
Summary: Catalytic tar reforming is a promising technology for converting tar into syngas and chemicals. This review focuses on the catalyst design and preparation for low-temperature reforming of biomass tar, and discusses the adjustment of catalyst structure, deactivation mechanism, and reforming mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lina Garcia, Misael Cordoba, Liza Dosso, Franco Nardi, Carlos Vera, Monica Quiroga, Mariana Busto, Juan Badano
Summary: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using different catalysts for reforming tars in biomass gasification syngas to produce high-quality syngas. The researchers used a bench scale equipment consisting of an autothermal fluidized bed gasifier and a downstream packed bed reformer. The best catalyst for tar reforming was found to be pyrolysis char, which reduced tar content to less than 1 g/Nm3 in the product gas.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Guanyi Chen, Xiaoshan Dong, Beibei Yan, Jian Li, Kunio Yoshikawa, Liguo Jiao
Summary: Tar elimination is a bottleneck in the industrial application of gasification, but photothermal catalysis shows potential in improving tar removal efficiency and reducing reaction temperature. Photothermal steam reforming significantly enhances toluene conversion and suppresses carbon deposition and agglomeration, promoting the formation of gaseous products.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lola Azancot, Luis F. Bobadilla, Miguel A. Centeno, Jose A. Odriozola
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive investigation on the reforming reaction of a simulated producer gas stream. The results show that the addition of potassium can mitigate carbon formation and minimize carbon deposits under appropriate reaction conditions. Based on experimental evidence, the Ni-K catalyst is proven to be an excellent candidate for obtaining clean syngas from producer gas reforming.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yaolin Wang, Zinan Liao, Stephanie Mathieu, Feng Bin, Xin Tu
Summary: A hybrid machine learning model has been developed for predicting and optimizing a gliding arc plasma tar reforming process using naphthalene as a model tar compound. The model, which combines three algorithms, shows good agreement between experimental data and predicted results. Optimization of hyper-parameters using genetic algorithm reveals the critical parameters for conversion and energy efficiency, leading to identification of optimal processing parameters for achieving maximum tar conversion, carbon balance, and energy efficiency.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hao Zhang, Ruiyang Xu, J. Ananthanarasimhan, Jiageng Zheng, Jieying Wan, Kaiyi Wang, Bingru Lan, Jianhua Yan, Xiaodong Li
Summary: In this study, the destruction of toluene as a model compound in a biomass tar was investigated using a rotating gliding arc plasma catalytic system. The results showed that the Ni-based bimetallic catalyst, especially the NiCu catalyst, exhibited better performance in tar conversion and enhanced heat content of the producer gas. The N2 environment also contributed to improved performance, particularly at higher tar concentrations.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Ren, Jing-Pei Cao, Fei-Long Yang, Yi-Ling Liu, Wen Tang, Xiao-Yan Zhao
Summary: The article discusses the potential and challenges of generating value-added chemicals from biomass gasification using advanced catalysts. It highlights the importance of understanding deactivation pathways and regeneration methods for heterogeneous catalysts in biomass gasification, and provides a comprehensive review on key features and solutions for catalyst deactivation.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ningbo Gao, Jamilu Salisu, Cui Quan, Paul Williams
Summary: The gasification of biomass produces syngas for electricity generation and fuels production, but tar generated as a by-product causes issues. Catalytic steam reforming with nickel-based catalysts can convert tar into more syngas efficiently. Research has focused on modifying nickel-based catalysts to improve performance in steam tar reforming.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joanna Woroszyl-Wojno, Michal Mlotek, Michalina Perron, Pawel Jozwik, Bogdan Ulejczyk, Krzysztof Krawczyk
Summary: The study focused on processing tar substances using toluene as a model substance, testing the effect of discharge power and carrier gas composition on toluene conversion. By conducting the process in a plasma-catalytic system with a new Ni3Al honeycomb system, high toluene conversion rates were achieved.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kittikorn Sasujit, Nigran Homdoung, Nakorn Tippayawong
Summary: A laboratory-scale reverse vortex flow gliding arc plasma reactor was developed and tested for the removal of tar model compound, achieving a maximum naphthalene removal efficiency of 85% at high voltage. The findings suggest that non-thermal plasma technology has great potential in the removal of biomass tar from gasification.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bin Xu, Jianjun Xie, Huacai Liu, Wenshen Yang, Xiuli Yin, Chuangzhi Wu
Summary: In this study, the partial oxidation of toluene as a biomass tar surrogate was investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor. The effect of reaction temperature, O2/toluene molar ratio (OTR) and discharge power on performances was studied. The results showed that higher temperatures, OTRs and discharge power led to better performances by promoting toluene destruction and gas product production. Excited N2 species played a crucial role in the process, and the method showed potential for gasification gas purification.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahmad Galadima, Ahmad Masudi, Oki Muraza
Summary: The paper discusses the potential technology of biomass valorization through catalytic gasification, focusing on the removal of generated tar. It reports updates on catalyst development for tar reduction, covering various materials and their impact on reaction activity and stability. Further areas for investigation are also identified in the review.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Jin Liu, Xinbo Zhu, Xueli Hu, Xin Tu
Summary: This article reports on the plasma-assisted NH3 synthesis directly from N2 and H2 using different packing materials with varying dielectric constants and thermal conductivities at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The study reveals that higher dielectric constant and thermal conductivity are key parameters in enhancing the NH3 synthesis performance. Materials with higher dielectric constant contribute to the increase in electron energy and energy injected to plasma, leading to the generation of chemically active species. Materials with higher thermal conductivity result in lower surface temperature and higher entropy increment, which are beneficial for NH3 synthesis. Additionally, excessive input energy can decrease energy efficiency due to the exacerbation of reverse reaction in NH3 formation.
PLASMA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Zhang, Qinhuai Tan, Qunxing Huang, Kaiyi Wang, Xin Tu, Xiaotong Zhao, Chunfei Wu, Jianhua Yan, Xiaodong Li
Summary: In this study, the conversion of CO2 into O-2-free CO using plasma and biochar was investigated. The presence of both plasma and biochar significantly enhanced the CO2 conversion. The effects of biochar source, pyrolysis temperature, and gas-solid reaction patterns were evaluated. The study revealed that the plasmatron CO2 + C process achieved a high CO2 conversion rate.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuxuan Zeng, Guoxing Chen, Qianyun Bai, Li Wang, Renbing Wu, Xin Tu
Summary: This study investigates the plasma-enhanced catalytic biogas reforming process for hydrogen-rich syngas production using a Ni-K/Al2O3 catalyst in a tabular dielectric barrier discharge non-thermal plasma reactor. Different reaction modes, including plasma catalysis, plasma alone, and catalysis alone, are compared to understand the synergy at elevated temperatures. The combination of Ni-K/Al2O3 and plasma shows temperature-dependent and varied synergistic effects. The results demonstrate that the plasma catalysis achieves the maximum conversions of CH4 and CO2 at 160 degrees C, while increasing the temperature enhances the H2/CO ratio.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Review
Thermodynamics
Ningbo Gao, Fengchao Wang, Cui Quan, Laura Santamaria, Gartzen Lopez, Paul T. Williams
Summary: Waste tires are solid wastes with the potential for great harm to the environment. The pyrolysis of waste tires can recycle energy and produce reusable products. This paper reviews and summarizes the tire char, evaluates the production and application of tire char from waste tires, discusses the thermal decomposition behavior of different tire rubbers, and assesses the factors influencing the yield and quality of tire char. The physical and chemical structural characteristics of tire char are critically reviewed, and high-value application fields and developmental prospects of tire char are summarized.
PROGRESS IN ENERGY AND COMBUSTION SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Thermodynamics
M. Cortazar, L. Santamaria, G. Lopez, J. Alvarez, L. Zhang, R. Wang, X. Bi, M. Olazar
Summary: In the current energy scenario, biomass gasification is considered a key technology for producing heat, power, and biofuels. However, the presence of high levels of tar in syngas poses challenges to the commercialization of biomass gasification technologies. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tar formation and elimination mechanisms, the adverse effects of tar, and tar analyzing techniques. It also summarizes the primary strategies for tar removal, including the impact of operation parameters, catalyst utilization, and reactor design on tar formation and elimination.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Santiago Orozco, Gartzen Lopez, Mayra Alejandra Suarez, Maite Artetxe, Jon Alvarez, Javier Bilbao
Summary: The oxidative fast pyrolysis of plastics was studied in a conical spouted bed reactor using an inexpensive fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) spent catalyst. Operating under oxidative pyrolysis conditions significantly improved the FCC catalyst performance and increased the yield of light olefins.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Li Wang, Yuezhao Wang, Linhui Fan, Hongli Xu, Bowen Liu, Jiaren Zhang, Yimin Zhu, Xin Tu
Summary: In this study, the plasma-catalytic conversion of CH4 and CO2 into high-value alcohols, with methanol as the main product, was achieved using Cu-based catalysts. By controlling the support material, calcination temperature, and copper loading, the selectivity of alcohols was significantly improved. The results provide valuable insights for designing efficient catalysts to tune the production of alcohols through the single-step plasma-catalytic conversion of CH4 and CO2.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bin Xu, Jianjun Xie, Nantao Wang, Yanqin Huang, Huacai Liu, Xiuli Yin, Chuangzhi Wu, Xin Tu
Summary: Steam reforming of toluene was conducted in a DBD plasma reactor with Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. The study investigated the effects of reaction temperature, catalyst calcination temperature, and permittivity of packing materials on the reaction performance and synergistic effect of plasma catalysis. The results showed that toluene conversion initially decreased and then increased with temperature, achieving a high conversion rate of 87.1% at 450°C. Catalysts prepared at lower calcination temperatures or with higher permittivity packing materials exhibited better performance due to larger Ni surface area and higher surface discharge. The study highlighted the potential of this approach for sustainable hydrogen production.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guangyi Zhang, Gui Chen, Haomin Huang, Yexia Qin, Mingli Fu, Xin Tu, Daiqi Ye, Junliang Wu
Summary: In this study, a coaxial DBD reactor packed with gamma-MnO2 and CeO2 was used for methanol oxidation. CeO2 showed better performance with higher methanol conversion and CO2 selectivity compared to gamma-MnO2. Catalyst characterization revealed that CeO2 had more active oxygen species and adsorbed more methanol, resulting in higher catalytic activity. In addition, CeO2 produced more reactive oxygen species from ozone decomposition and accumulated less intermediate formate during methanol oxidation. Overall, CeO2 was found to be a more effective catalyst than gamma-MnO2 in the plasma catalysis system for methanol oxidation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lina Liu, Jing Dai, Sonali Das, Yaolin Wang, Han Yu, Shibo Xi, Zhikun Zhang, Xin Tu
Summary: A hybrid DBD plasma-catalytic system was developed for the low-temperature CO2 reforming of toluene, where the Ni4Fe1-R catalyst exhibited the highest activity and stability. The plasma-catalytic system showed promising results in promoting the CRT reaction by generating synergy between DBD plasma and the catalyst. In situ FTIR spectroscopy and comprehensive catalyst characterization were used to elucidate the reaction mechanism and plasma-catalyst interfacial effect.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaomai Chen, Xuefeng Shi, Peirong Chen, Bowen Liu, Meiyin Liu, Longwen Chen, Daiqi Ye, Xin Tu, Wei Fan, Junliang Wu
Summary: In this study, Pd nanoparticles confined within silicalite-1 zeolites (Pd@S-1) were demonstrated to be highly active and stable catalysts for methane oxidation. The introduction of Ce further improved the activity by promoting the formation of oxygen vacancies and inhibiting the transformation of the active PdO phase. The bimetallic PdCe0.4@S-1 catalyst showed exceptional outstanding activity and durability in complete methane oxidation, even in the presence of water vapor.
ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU
(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)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Guoxing Chen, Xiao Yu, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Bowen Liu, Jonathan Harding, Gert Homm, Heng Guo, Stephan Andreas Schunk, Ying Zhou, Xin Tu, Anke Weidenkaff
Summary: This article critically examines recent advances in methane pyrolysis, highlighting efforts to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial applications, and discusses opportunities and challenges for translation research towards commercial production of clean hydrogen.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuxuan Zeng, Guoxing Chen, Bowen Liu, Hao Zhang, Xin Tu
Summary: In this study, the hydrogenation of CO2 over M/SiO2 and M/Al2O3 catalysts was investigated at different temperatures. The results showed that the coupling of catalysts with plasma demonstrated better reaction efficiency than thermal catalysis and plasma alone modes.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)