Projects / Programmes
Chemical Reaction Engineering
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T350 |
Technological sciences |
Chemical technology and engineering |
Chemical Engineering; Chemical Reaction Engineering; Catalysis; Transport phenomena; Multiphase reactors
Researchers (17)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0104 |
National Institute of Chemistry |
Ljubljana |
5051592000 |
21,007 |
Abstract
The group research activities are directed into the kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical transformations, either catalytic or noncatalytic. In heterogeneous reaction systems the interactions between the kinetics of surface processes and the transport phenomena are emphasized in particular, because they frequently dictate the type and size of reaction vessels. Indeed, modeling of multiphase reactors accompany these research efforts. Seeking for sustainable processes the group also study reactions in less conventional media such as supercritical fluids and ionic liquids. A portion of the group activity is devoted to the development of new, more active and more selective catalysts for processes with commercial potentials. The two examples are: catalytic hydrogenation of nitrate in drinkable water and catalytic oxidation of toxic organics in industrial wastewaters.
Significance for science
Considering the fact that roughly 90 % of all commercial processes are catalytic, studies in heterogeneous catalytic reaction kinetics represent a major topic in numerous research institutions for more than six decades. The research group which proposes this programme, made an important pioneering contribution to the field of catalytic oxidation of organic pollutants in industrial waste waters in the early nineties, which is supported by the fact that our scientific papers published on this topic were cited more than 500 times. It was demonstrated that by using a heterogeneous catalyst, catalytic oxidation of organic pollutants in industrial waste waters can be performed under milder conditions than during noncatalytic oxidation, making this reaction pathway economically much more viable. As a result of our pioneering work in this topic, the group was a part of three scientific projects financially supported by the EU, and was an expert consultant for the international corporation KTI-Mannesmann. The research group achieved a similar international success with the research on catalytic membrane reactors conducted within the 5th EU research programme (WATERCATOX project). On the basis of this research, it was established that membrane reactors can be successfully employed for catalytic reactions in gas-liquid-solid chemical processes without economical constraints. During the last couple of years, numerous articles on the topic of PROX and WGS reactions for synthesis and purification of hydrogen rich gas streams were published in highly respected international scientific journals.
Significance for the country
a) sustainable socio-economic and cultural development The need for quantitative determination of chemical reaction rate is present in more or less every chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical factory. With our extensive knowledge in the field of chemical reaction engineering and reactor design, members of this research group significantly contributed to the optimization of production and improvement of added value in pharmaceutical company LEK (Sandoz group) and petrochemical plant Nafta Lendava. Further research in this field will expand our already vast knowledge of chemical process design; with the education and integration of young PhD students into industrial processes this will enable us a transfer of knowledge into the industrial environment. Development of new catalytic processes for hydrogen production from renewable sources is of paramount importance for chemical industry and for the development of new technologies, while efficient sequestration of carbon dioxide reduces their impact on environment, promotes the field of green technologies and helps to achieve goals, set by the Kyoto agreement. Research and development of fuel cells and accompanying technologies is a national energetic priority for which many companies have shown interest in. b) technological development With the knowledge of chemical reaction kinetics and thermodynamic constraints, all commercial chemical processes can be designed and optimized. This was the case in projects for LEK and Nafta Lendava companies, where in the past years members from this research group helped to set optimal operating conditions for particular processes and thus noticeably shortened the reaction time and maximized the industrial production. Aspirations toward practical solutions from this research group manifested themselves in national and international patents, e.g.: Ion-conducting composite membranes : patent no. WO2005045976, publication date 19 May 2005: application number WO2004EP12629, date 05 November 2004 : priority number EP20030292786, date 06 November 2003. Rijswijk: European Patent Office: PCT, 2003/2005. c) preservation of national identity, national and cultural heritage This research group is unique in the field of chemical reaction engineering in Slovenia and therefore helps to preserve its Slovene scientific terminology. Furthermore, group members are strongly involved in the Slovene University educational program.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
