The decreasing effect of ammonia enrichment on the combustion emission of hydrogen,methane, and propane fuels

In the present study, non-premixed combustion and NOx emission of H₂, NH₃, C₃H₈, and CH₄ fuels have been studied in a combustion test unit under lean mixture conditions (λ = 4) at 8.6 kW thermal capacity. Furthermore, the combustion and NOx emission of the H₂, C₃H₈, and CH₄ fuels have been investigated for various NH₃ enrichment ratios (5, 10, 20, and 50%) and excess air coefficients (λ = 1.1, 2, 3, and 4) at the same thermal capacity. The obtained results have been compared for each fuel. Numerical simulation results show that H₂ emits intense energy through the reaction zone despite the lowest fuel consumption in mass, among others, due to its high calorific value. Therefore, it has a higher flame temperature than others. At the same time, C₃H₈ has the lowest flame temperature. Besides, NH₃ has the shortest flame length among others, while C₃H₈ has the most extended flame form. The highest level of NOx is released from the NH₃ flame in the combustion chamber, while the lowest NOx is released from the CH₄. However, the lowest NOx emission at the combustion chamber exit is obtained in NH₃ combustion, while the highest NOx emission is obtained with H₂ combustion. It results from the shortest flame length of NH₃, short residence time, and backward NOx reduction to N₂ for NH₃. As for H₂, high flame temperature and relatively long flame, and high residence time of the products trigger NOx formation and keep the NOx level high. On the other hand, excess air coefficient from 1.1 to 2 increases NOx for H₂, CH₄, and NH₃ due to their large flame diameters, unlike propane. Then, NOx emission levels decrease sharply as the excess air coefficient increases to 4 for each fuel. NH₃ fuel also emits minimum NOx in other excess air coefficients at the exit, while H₂ emits too much emission. With NH₃ enrichment, the NOx emissions of H₂, CH₄, and C₃H₈ fuels at the combustion chamber exit decrease gradually almost every excess air coefficient apart from λ = 1.1. As a general conclusion, like renewable fuels, H₂ appears to be a source of pollution in terms of NOx emissions in combustion applications. In contrast, NH₃ appears to be a relatively modest fuel with a low NOx level. In addition, the high amount of NOx emission released from H₂ and other fuels during the combustion can be remarkably reduced by NH₃ enrichment with an excess air combustion.     

Investigation of La0.6Sr0.4Co1-xNixO3-δ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) catalysts on solid oxide fuel cells anode for biogas dry reforming

The introduction of catalyst on anode of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been an effective way to alleviate the carbon deposition when utilizing biogas as the fuel. A series of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_1-xNi_xO_3-δ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) oxides are synthesized by sol-gel method and used as catalysts precursors for biogas dry reforming. The phase structure of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_1-xNi_xO_3-δ oxides before and after reduction are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The texture properties, carbon deposition, CH₄ and CO₂ conversion rate of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_1-xNi_xO_3-δ catalysts are evaluated and compared. The peak power density of 739 mW cm^?2 is obtained by a commercial SOFC with La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.4Ni_0.6O_3-δ catalyst at 850 °C when using a mixture of CH₄: CO₂ = 2:1 as fuel. This shows a great improvement from the cell without catalyst for internal dry reforming, which is attributed to the formation of NiCo alloy active species after reduction in H₂ atmosphere. The results indicate the benefits of inhibiting the carbon deposition on Ni-based anode through introducing the La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.4Ni_0.6O_3-δ catalyst precursor. Additionally, the dry reforming technology will also help to convert part of the exhaust heat into chemical energy and improve the efficiency of SOFC system with biogas fuel.     

Catalytic behavior in CH4 decomposition of catalysts derived from red mud: Impact of residual Na2O

Catalyst samples for CH₄ decomposition were prepared from red mud (RM) by an acid-leaching neutralization precipitation approach. Water-washing the resultant precipitates multiple times, followed by drying at 105 °C and calcination at 500 °C, resulted in a threshold of residual Na₂O, equivalent to 96% Na₂O removal. Drying the precipitate at a higher temperature of 200 °C, followed by repeated water washing, provided a deeper Na₂O removal of 99% and made the resultant samples more active for the targeted reaction. Subsequently, four catalyst samples with a simulated red mud composition and NaOH contents from 0 to 0.3 wt% were prepared and the catalytic test results revealed that the Na₂O remaining in the RM-derived catalysts did not only inhibit their activation in CH₄ but also lower their maximal activities for CH₄ decomposition. Finally, two catalysts with the same simulated red mud composition and their Na impregnated respectively on Fe₂O₃ and a mixture support of Al₂O₃-SiO₂-TiO₂ were prepared and tested to explore the effect of Na distribution on the activation behavior of RM-derived catalysts for CH₄ decomposition. The activity testing results showed that it was the Na residual dispersed on iron oxides in the RM-derived samples to significantly inhibit the activation of CH₄ decomposition.     

Numerical investigations on flashback dynamics of premixed methane-hydrogen-air laminar flames

Injecting hydrogen into the natural gas network to reduce CO₂ emissions in the EU residential sector is considered a critical element of the zero CO₂ emissions target for 2050. Burning natural gas and hydrogen mixtures has potential risks, the main one being the flame flashback phenomenon that could occur in home appliances using premixed laminar burners. In the present study, two-dimensional transient computations of laminar CH₄ + air and CH₄ + H₂ + air flames are performed with the open-source CFD code OpenFOAM. A finite rate chemistry based solver is used to compute reaction rates and the laminar reacting flow. Starting from a flame stabilized at the rim of a cylindrical tube burner, the inlet bulk velocity of the premixture is gradually reduced to observe flashback. The results of the present work concern the effects of wall temperature and hydrogen addition on the flashback propensity of laminar premixed methane-hydrogen-air flames. Complete sequences of flame dynamics with gradual increases of premixture velocity are investigated. At the flame flashback velocities, strong oscillations at the flame leading edge emerge, causing broken flame symmetry and finally flame flashback. The numerical results reveal that flashback tendency increase with increasing wall temperature and hydrogen addition rate.     

Recent advances during CH4 dry reforming for syngas production: A mini review

Given the continuing issues of environment and energy, methane dry reforming for syngas production have sparked interest among researchers, but struggled with the process immaturity owing to catalyst deactivation. This review summarizes the recent advances in the development of efficient and stable catalysts with strong resistance to coking and metal sintering, including the application of novel materials, the assessment of advanced characterizations and the compatibility to improved reaction system. One feasible option is the crystalline oxide catalysts (perovskite, pyrochlore, spinel and LDHs), which feature a fine metal dispersion and surface confinement effect via a metal exsolution strategy and exhibit superior reactivity and stability. Some new materials (h-BN, clays and MOFs) also extend the option because of their unique morphology and microstructure. It also is elaborated that progresses were achieved in advanced characterizations application, leading to success in the establishment of reaction mechanisms and attributions to the formed robust catalysts. In addition, the perspective described the upgrade of reaction system to a higher reaction efficiency and milder reaction conditions. The combination of efficient reaction systems and robust catalysts paves a way for a scaling-up application of the process.     

The role of microbial electrogenesis in regulating methane and nitrous oxide emissions from constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell

This study assesses a sustainable solution to greenhouse gases (GHGs) mitigation using constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFC). Roots of wetland plant Acorus Calamus L. are placed in biological anode to better enable anode microorganisms to obtain rhizosphere secretion for power improvement. Three selected cathode materials have a large difference in GHG emissions, and among them, carbon fiber felt (CFF) shows the lowest emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, which are 0.77 ± 0.04 mg/(m²·h) and 130.78 ± 13.08 μg/(m²·h), respectively. The CFF CW-MFC achieves the maximum power density of 2.99 W/m³. As the influent pH value is adjusted from acidic to alkaline, the GHGs emissions are reduced. The addition of Ni inhibits GHGs emission but decreases the electricity, the power density is reduced to 1.09 W/m³, and the methane and nitrous oxide emission fluxes decline to 0.20 ± 0.04 mg/(m²·h) and 15.49 ± 1.86 μg/(m²·h), respectively. Low C/N ratio reduces methane emission, while high C/N ratio effectively inhibits nitrous oxide emission. At the influent pH 8 and C/N = 5:1, the methane emission flux is approximately 10.60 ± 0.27 mg/(m²·h), and the nitrous oxide emission flux is only 10.90 ± 1.10 μg/(m²·h). Based on the above experimental results by controlling variable factors, it is proposed that CW-MFC offers an environment-friendly solution to regulate GHG emissions.     

Analysis of nitrogen oxide emissions from modern vehicles using hydrogen or other natural and synthetic fuels in combustion chamber

The paper presents a calculated analysis of the equilibrium emission of nitrogen oxides on the exhaust of carburetor and diesel internal combustion engines. The temperature of fuel oxidation is assumed to be 1,400 °C while the pressure for carburetor and diesel engines is assumed to be 60 atm and 80 atm respectively. The studies have been carried out for natural and synthetic fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, petroleum, diesel fuel and methane at the excess air coefficient corresponding to the fuel oxidation temperature of 1,400 °C. In the paper, the method for calculating the equilibrium composition based on the equilibrium constant and mass conservation equations has been applied. It is shown that with an increase in pressure from 1 atm to 60 atm for carburetor engines and up to 80 atm for diesel engines, the reaction of nitrogen dioxide formation may shift towards an increase in NO₂. The formation of NO may be not affected by the increase in pressure by virtue of the fact that the reaction proceeds without changes in the amount. It has been determined that NO is the major atmospheric pollutant. However, it would be advisable to use more extensively the fuels characterized by the lowest output of nitrogen dioxide (methane and methanol), since nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) related to the 2nd hazard class is appeared to be the most dangerous to humans. It has been revealed that the reduction in oxidation temperature using hydrogen as a fuel for electrochemical current generators may allow reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by more than an order of magnitude as compared to the best results for ICE.     

New approach to unsupported ReS2 nanorod catalyst for upgrading of heavy crude oil using methane as hydrogen source

Highly active ReS₂ nanocatalysts were prepared by CVD method and characterized by XRD, BET -BJH, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, TPR, NH₃-TPD, SEM, and HRTEM techniques. Catalytic activities were used in upgrading heavy crude oil using methane as hydrogen source. The results showed a significant increase in API and decrease in sulfur and nitrogen content of crude oil. RSM technique was used to investigate the interactive effects of temperature (200–400 °C), pressure (20–40 bar) and dosage of nanocatalyst (0.5–2 wt. %) on the performance of HDS reaction. The results represent that the maximum predicted HDS activity (74.375%) was estimated under the optimal conditions (400 °C, 20 bars, and 2 wt % of nanocatalyst). Also, the effect of reaction temperature, pressure and dosage of ReS₂ nanorods catalyst on HDN of heavy crude oil was investigated and highest efficiency in the HDN process (93%) occurred at 400 °C and 40 bar using 2 wt % ReS₂.     

Methane oxidation over vanadium-modified Pd/Al2O3 catalysts

Three different vanadium-modified Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared and tested as catalysts for the deep oxidation of methane. Vanadium was added to the palladium catalyst by incipient wetness of palladium catalyst in order to modify its properties and improve its thermal stability and thioresistance. The behaviour of vanadium-modified catalysts depends on the concentration of this compound, being 0.5 wt.% the optimum amount. However, when strong catalyst poisons are present in the gas (SO₂), these modified catalysts do not show a better performance than unmodified catalyst. Bimetallic catalysts were tested with and without further reduction, being observed that reduced bimetallic catalysts perform worse than the non-reduced ones.