Design of Novel Catalysts and Processes for CO2 Conversion from Micro- to Macroscale Grant uri icon

abstract

  • This proposal aims at exploring the potential of novel catalysts and catalytic processes for CO2 conversion whereby CO2 consumption in the process is greater than the CO2 produced at any stage of the process. The focus of this project will be on two major challenges; 1) CO2 assisted natural gas reforming, referred to as dry reforming, which can be integrated with processes for fuel and chemical production; 2) production of a major chemical building block, methanol, from the reaction of H2 with CO2. Success in developing new catalysts and novel technologies for the aforementioned conversions could have significant impact in gas processing technology and CO2 conversion worldwide, but especially in Qatar. The scope and complexity of this problem necessarily requires a highly qualified multidisciplinary team, bringing together academia and industry in a unique collaborative model. The exceptionality of the proposed effort lies in its multi-faceted approach seamlessly spanning micro-scale investigations (fundamental catalyst synthesis studies, exploratory catalytic conversions via photochemical and thermal pathways and optimizations, and reaction mechanism elucidation) coupled to macro-scale studies (detailed applied research, transitioning the micro-scale studies to reactor bed design and the other technological issues, alongside studies analyzing the CO2 life cycle to ensure that net CO2 produced is less than the CO2 consumed as raw material). In addition to the aforementioned studies, the proposed effort addresses important elements relevant to breakthrough CO2 conversion technologies by also incorporating: 1) reactor scale-up and catalyst synthesis to commercially acceptable scale and 2) I integrating new CO2 conversion processes within existing Qatar process plants. The assembled team brings together a distinctive combination of high-level complementary and trans-disciplinary technical skills, a proven track record in this area, experience in multi-PI, multi-institutional projects, effective collaborations with industry, and all the necessary instrumentation and computational capabilities to bring this proposed project to a successful and highly visible conclusion with important fundamental scientific and technology pay-offs. This project involves building infra-structure in Qatar to support large scale catalyst synthesis based on the results of the Northwestern University, Texas A&M University at Qatar, and Qatar University research in collaboration with Total Research Center and it is supported by Qatar Petroleum.

date/time interval

  • 2015 - 2021