Objective
For the low and medium temperature ranges precious metal catalysts were developed based on palladium and platinum and a combination of palladium with platinum, specially formulated for high activity in the conversion of methane. For the high temperature range transition metal catalysts were developed. The most successful systems investigated were copper and manganese based catalysts.
For high temperature applications ceramic component based SiC and Si3N4 were developed. They were exposed to high temperature furnace cycling in air to confirm their suitability for subsequent use in the gas turbine concept. The main conclusion is that the newly developed materials can withstand these kinds of conditions. Process parameters for the production of iron chromium alloy sintered metal bodies were developed for application in the reformer concept and new coating techniques were developed.
Physical data of catalytic systems based on porous sintered metal and ceramic monoliths were obtained and implemented in mathematical models. Computer models were developed for the first stage of the gas turbine, co-current concentric reformer and the radiant heater. For the gas turbine and for the radiant heater concept a close match was obtained with the experimental results. This enabled the models to be used as a predictive tool, to aid the optimisation of the working catalytic combustion concepts.
For the reformer concept a test rig was built in which a sintered metal based reactor was tested up to a size of 2 kW heat production. Two radiant heater concepts were tested. To test the gas turbine concept two high pressured test rigs were built.
The aim of this four year project is to research catalytic combustion systems which achieve ultra low exhaust emissions when operating on natural gas fuel. Applications for this research programme are high pressure ratio, high efficiency industrial gas turbines, reformers and radiant heaters. The major programme tasks are:
- quantification of the combustion activity of existing and novel catalysts, as a baseline
- identification of the best methods of depositing catalysts on carriers.
- definition of the best geometries for catalysts supports
- quantification of performance changes due to differing compositions of natural gas
- determination of catalytic system behaviour and life at high temperatures and pressures
- computer modelling of the catalytic combustion systems, validated test data
- determination of the extent of homogeneous combustion reactions in the systems
- design and manufacture of housings for catalysts elements for experimental testing
- practical evaluation of natural gas fuelled catalytic combustion concepts in test facilities
Application of the research results will reduce NOx emissions to 5% of the current values and will guide European industry to a leading position in catalytic combustion technology. This will allow the Community to influence emissions legislation through BACT (Best Available Control Technology).
Fields of science
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energynatural gas
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
7300 Apeldoorn
Netherlands