Projects / Programmes
Nano-catalysis for natural gas contaminants removal
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.03.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
Renewable resources and technologies |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
gas desulphurisation, catalysis, advanced nanomaterials, nanocomposites
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
33330 |
PhD Gregor Filipič |
Electronic components and technologies |
Head |
2017 - 2019 |
129 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,682 |
Abstract
Natural gas consists mainly of methane (usually over 80%), and some higher carbohydrates. However, it also contains a small amount of harmful substances, among which are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) as well as gases containing sulfur - hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), methyl mercaptan (CH4S) and carbon disulfide (CS2). Currently, industrial processes for the purification of natural gas comprise purging gas through a chemical bath or through the hard absorber, which absorbs sulfur gases, or desulphurisation process known as the Claus process. The purified gas still contains some contaminants, but in some ppm up to a few tens of ppm. For a complete cleaning of gas new methods are required. One could be better absorbers with a longer work-regenerative cycle or better catalysts for the desulphurization complete without deactivation of the catalysts.
The catalysts can be improved in several ways: the importance of appropriate choice of material added co-catalysts, increasing the surface area and ultimately reducing the size of the catalysts.
Catalyst can be operate in two regimes - catalyses the oxidation of sulphur gas, or is used as an absorber of this gas. Metal oxides can combine both properties, because during catalysis replace their oxygen with sulphur. With this, the catalytic activity lowers, and the material is needed over time to replace or regenerate. With the addition of a co-catalyst, the regeneration cycle is extended, since the sulphur takes the basic catalyst, while the co-catalyst should remain active.
In this project we will focus on the synthesis of innovative hybrid nano-catalysts. Metal-oxide (Cu, Zn) will be synthesised with advance plasma oxidation of the metal. The nanowires will be decorated whit co-catalysts in the form of nanoparticles (Ni, V). In doing so, we will use a number of ways – mixing and sintering of nanomaterials; coating nanowires with nanoparticles and then plasma treated; and coating of nanoparticles on the metal prior to the synthesis of nanowires and the inclusion of the co-catalyst into the structure of nanowires. We will prepare flexible membrane filters or porous pellets out of these hybrid materials. These advanced catalysts will be tested for efficient catalysis of H2S and its catalysis in H2S/CH4 mixture - in the laboratory at low pressures and slow gas flows. The successful catalysts will be further tested at high pressures and high gas flow in complementary partner laboratory. The samples will be characterised (structure, size, physical properties) before and after catalytic test. The results will be compared to the catalytic efficiency. This will allow us to optimize the synthesis and prepare optimal catalyst.
Significance for science
This project is dealing with desulphurisation of natural gas. This research is very important due to continuous increase of natural gas usage. The gas is used for home utilities (heating, cooking), transportation purposes, thermal power plant, etc. With strict regulations about the exhausts pollutants, it is imperative to reduce the sulphuric contents as much as possible. The successful result would open possibilities for widely applicative filters in all the before mentioned areas.
From the scientific point the project is dealing with dual catalysis composites, all in nanosize. The synthesis of metal oxide nanowires, decoration with nanoparticles and preparation of the prototype catalyst will be done using innovative gaseous plasma oxidation. The nanowires will be prepared with nanoparticles fused on the surface and/or included in their structure. The catalytic properties and mechanisms of these novel materials will be studied. The result will give us insight into nano-catalysis properties of metal/metal–oxide, and into catalyst design. The results will be possible to apply also in other areas of catalysis, e.g. SO2 catalysis, reducing the amount of CO2 in the air, and even in improving combustion of natural gas.
Significance for the country
Result of this project will be applicable in many areas. Successful results will be certainly of interest for the industry. Primarily, the knowledge gained in this study could be used for cheaper and more efficient filtering of natural gas in its production. Further development would lead rapidly towards an effective desulphurisation filter material for use in domestic households as well as in industrial plants for filtering exhaust gases, cars, etc. The catalytic material would be able to reduce the sulphur poisoning in solar cells and hydrogen cells which in addition aids clean environment could. Furthermore, also the internal combustion engine efficiency could be increased.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
