Cleaner combustion and catalytic reactions
15 Jan 2000
Combustion emissions of SOx, NOx and particulates from heavy oils and the interaction of these pollutants, is studied in a drop-tube furnace by Asterios Gavriilidis' group.
Modelling studies and experimental work aim to improve the range of conditions in which the combustor can operate. This is addressed by novel catalytic combustor configurations to optimise the interaction between transport and reaction processes.
In another project in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, catalytic combustion forms the basis of an intensified steam reformer reactor for hydrogen production.
Gavriilidis tells PE: 'There are two projects in which we hope to get industry interested. The combustion project is the most industrially led. For example,Repsol, the Spanish oil company wanted to know how their fuel was burning with a view to reformulating it to give a cleaner burn. Another project is the low temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons.'
His group is also looking at reactor design and process intensification. 'We hope to build a compact steam reformer to produce hydrogen [by the reaction CH4+2H2O 4H2+CO2] for fuel cells based on natural gas.'
