Descripción del proyecto
Catalizadores de reducción de metano más avanzados
El metano es el principal componente del gas natural y un importante gas de efecto invernadero; su combustión a altas temperaturas emite óxido de nitrógeno y monóxido de carbono de carácter tóxico. A fin de que los motores de combustión en vehículos de gas natural emitan una cantidad menor de gases de efecto invernadero, es necesario desarrollar catalizadores más eficientes. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos DynaCatMe tiene el objetivo de diseñar catalizadores de reducción de metano muy activos y tolerantes al vapor. Para lograrlo, los investigadores crearán nanomateriales mediante la mecanoquímica, un método de catálisis con control de emisiones que es, además, fácilmente modulable, respetuoso con el medio ambiente y de bajo coste. Los resultados del proyecto podrían suponer un avance para las tecnologías de activación de metano en aplicaciones industriales.
Objetivo
In the next decades, methane will be used extensively in the European Union owing to the increased supplies of shale gas. Methane is the main component of natural gas (>90%) and its combustion is more efficient and has less carbon footprint with respect to other carbon-containing fuels. However, it is a powerful greenhouse gas, with an effect 20 times higher than that of CO2 and its high-temperature combustion emits toxic NOx and CO. Decreasing the emissions of greenhouse gases from combustion engines requires the development of more efficient catalysts, which is critical for natural gas fueled vehicles (NGVs).
My main goal in DynaCatMe is to develop highly active and steam-tolerant methane abatement catalysts. Based on outstanding preliminary results of the host group, I will synthesize the nanomaterials by using an unexplored method in emission-control catalysis: Mechanochemistry, which is a cheap, eco-friendly and readily scalable method and where active sites with unconventional architectures are created. During this Fellowship, I plan to acquire a fundamental understanding of the structural and chemical properties of the novel catalysts to precisely identify the active sites responsible for the superior performance. In addition, I will investigate the dynamic nature of nanocatalysts by using cutting-edge synchrotron-based operando spectroscopies to monitor and decipher their actual working state under industrial reaction conditions. Importantly, the expected results will also have a strong impact on methane-activation technologies for industrial application. I will build on my previous expertise in advanced characterization and will be guided by an expert in catalysts synthesis, characterization and testing to bring this multidisciplinary project to fruition. During the implementation of the Fellowship, I will develop new technical and transferable skills via a specifically designed and documented training plan.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energynatural gas
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- engineering and technologychemical engineeringchemical process engineering
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaliphatic compounds
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
08034 Barcelona
España