Deliverables Validation of the evolutionary approach software An evolutionary approach based on genetic like algorithms have been successfully applied for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene (ODHE). In the low temperature range (400 - 500°C) an increase of the maximum ethylene yield from 9 % in the 1st generation to 16 % in the 7th generation has been observed. In the high temperature, several generations of catalysts have been screened, demonstrating a potential for competing the commercial viable performance. Further significant improvement is expected which will serve as basis for contract research. Exploitable results Laboratory prototypes of multi-reactor setups for TAP-system, SSITKA and step transient experiments Two laboratory prototypes for fast screening of heterogeneous catalysts have been developed: 1- A laboratory prototype of a 12-fold parallel reactor module has been designed, constructed and integrated in a TAP (Temporal Analysis of Products) fast pulsed reactor system. The module and a special designed pre-vacuum chamber can be integrated in commercial available TAP-2 reactors instead of single reactor modules. 2- A 16-fold gas phase parallel reactor system has been designed, contracted and tested for high throughput kinetics under atmospheric pressure. The equipment can be used for SSITKA and step transient experiments. An exploitation plan is under progress for commercialisation. Development of a HT-multipurpose slurry phase reactor : application for the selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde (SHC) A multipurpose high-pressure high throughput slurry phase reactor, which outperforms competitive reactors in the market, has been developed and is now commercialised. The main novelties are the total concept and the sampling system. DSM settled the requirements. Specification of the final prototype: 16 fold parallel slurry phase reactor with reaction conditions up to 150 bar and 220°C (16 different temperatures, pressures and stirring rates in one run possible), in-situ activation of pacified catalysts up to 250°C, wet volume: 8 ml (total content 15 ml), material of reactors: SS or Hastelloy, inserts: optional, mixing: via magnetic stirring bars up to 2000 rpm,(16 different stirring rates possible), possibility of individual pressure regulation, introduction of gas: separate inlet for each reactor (automated), introduction of reactants and catalysts: automated via sampling system, solid catalysts manually. Development of superior catalysts for the reaction of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE- high and low temperature) The preconditions were fixed by DSM: Targets: -ethylene yield 70% per pass, -catalyst productivity higher than 0.2 kg ethylene/kg catalyst. h, -P 2-3 atm in final testing, -use of oxygen in stead of air -complete conversion of oxygen, -dilution preferably with steam Conditions: A set of starting elements is chosen and as well as the reaction conditions: -T: 400-650 oC, -P: 1 bar, -ethylene ratio between 2 and 8, -ethane concentration between 5 and 20% and -contact time between 0.1 and 1 g.s/ml Preliminary parallel testing and optimisation of ODHE catalytic materials for best performance at low temperatures applying the evolutionary approach is in progress. So far 4 generations each comprising 60 catalytic materials have been tested in the available 64-channels ceramic reactor under conditions as defined in WP1 (5 # conditions each). Key data of the reactor set-up: -64-channels reactor module -inner diameter of a single reactor channel: 5.0 mm -nearly constant temperature and flow in all reactor channels -inert reactor material (ceramic) -channel effluent to be analysed selected by multi position valves located in an air-heated box -After testing of 4 generations of ODHE catalytic materials for the following results have been obtained: -The best support for eggshell catalytic materials of the given pool of elements is a-Al2O3 with a particle size of 250 -350 mm. - So far the main components, which show a good performance, are: Cr, Co, Mn, Au - Of minor importance for the catalyst activity are: Zr, Cu, Ga - At standard conditions the best catalyst after 4 generations exhibits a ethylene yield of 16.5% - No convergence of the combinatorial process occurred after 4 generations. Laboratory prototype of gas phase parallel reactor for in situ characterization Laboratory prototype of gas phase parallel flow reactor with possibilities for in-situ characterization was developed and built up. Technical specification: - 42 flow reactors in parallel - Amount of catalysts/reactor about 100mg - Designed for plugflow - Pressure drop adjustable - Automated feed gas supply - Automated sampling - Contactless measurement of temperature profile of each catalyst bed - Option for integration of additional in-situ characterization methods in the apparatus. Currently the laboratory prototype is being tested in the HTS-Lab one of the COMBICAT partners. Results of first prototype tests will be used for improvements. Searching for OpenAIRE data... There was an error trying to search data from OpenAIRE No results available
