Elucidation of the Roles of Re in Aqueous-Phase Reforming of Glycerol over Pt–Re/C Catalysts

Energy and economic analysis of alternatives for the valorization of hydrogen rich stream produced in the aqueous phase reforming of pyrolysis bio-oil aqueous fraction

Aqueous phase reforming has been explored for renewable H2 production from waste biomass. Promising results have been reported for pyrolysis bio-oil aqueous fractions (AFB), but economical assessments are needed to determine process feasibility, which requires both energy consumption minimization and optimal H2 valorization. This work compares different alternatives using process simulation and economic evaluation computational tools. Experimental results and a specific thermodynamic model are used to set mass balances. An adequate heat integration allows to reduce the process energy demand, covering the 100 % of the reactor duty. Optimal H2 unit cost is achieved if part of the produced H2 is valorized for energy self-covering and the rest is commercialized. Renewable H2 net production of c.a. 3.3 kgH2/m3 of treated AFB at a preliminary 1-2 €/kg unit cost is estimated, which can be considered as competitive with green H2, even though a case of diluted AFB is considered.

Preparation of the WO X /MCM-41 Solid Acid Catalyst and the Catalytic Performance for Solketal Synthesis

In the present work, an efficient and stable WO _X /MCM-41 solid acid catalyst was prepared by the wet impregnation method. The characterization of powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption, and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms confirmed that the impregnation amount and calcination temperature of WO _X speciation affected the dispersity and acidity of the resulting catalyst. This WO _X /MCM-41 solid acid catalyst was subsequently applied in the ketalization reaction of glycerol and acetone to produce solketal. By catalyst screening and reaction condition optimization, WO _X /MCM-41 obtained by impregnating 20 wt % and calcining at 350 °C exhibited the highest solketal yield and catalytic stability.

Shining light on the solid–liquid interface: in situ/operando monitoring of surface catalysis

Many industrially important chemical transformations occur at the interface between a solid catalyst and liquid reactants. In situ and operando spectroscopies offer unique insight into the reactivity of such catalytically active solid–liquid interfaces.

Hydrogen from Renewables: A Case Study of Glycerol Reforming

Biomass is an interesting candidate raw material for the production of renewable hydrogen. The conversion of biomass into hydrogen can be achieved by several processes. In particular, this short review focuses on the recent advances in glycerol reforming to hydrogen, highlighting the development of new and active catalysts, the optimization of reaction conditions, and the use of non-innocent supports as advanced materials for supported catalysts. Different processes for hydrogen production from glycerol, especially aqueous phase reforming (APR) and steam reforming (SR), are described in brief. Thermodynamic analyses, which enable comparison with experimental studies, are also considered. In addition, research advances in terms of life cycle perspective applied to support R&D activities in the synthesis of renewable H2 from biomass are presented. Lastly, also featured is an evaluation of the studies published, as evidence of the increased interest of both academic research and the industrial community in biomass conversion to energy sources.

Supported Co-Re Bimetallic Catalysts with Different Structures as Efficient Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Citral

Bimetallic Co-Re/TiO₂ catalysts were developed for efficient citral hydrogenation. Bimetallic catalysts were prepared by co-impregnation (CI), successive-impregnation (SI), and surface redox method (SR). The arrangement between the Co and Re species on these systems was fully characterized using several techniques (TEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction, temperature-programmed desorption, XRD, CO FTIR spectroscopy, model reaction of cyclohexane dehydrogenation), and their catalytic performances were evaluated for the selective hydrogenation of citral towards unsaturated alcohols. The Re and Co species are completely isolated in the CI sample, presenting a very limited Co-Re interaction. In SI samples, the metals coexist in a Janus-type structure with a concentration of Re around Co. Decoration/core-shell structures are observed for SR samples resulting from the redox exchange between the metallic surface of the parent Co/TiO₂ catalyst and the Re⁷⁺ species of the modifier precursor salt. The contact degree between the two metals gradually increases as follows: Isolated structure (CI)<Janus-type structure(SI)<decoration/core-shell structure (SR). The unchanging structure of all SI samples independent of the Re loading leads to similar electron transfer, and the increase in Re content results in agglomeration of Re, thus decreasing the catalytic activity. Density-of-state (DOS) calculations prove that the high valence of Re is a disadvantage for the hydrogenation reaction. For SR samples, the increase of Re loading contributes to the electron transfer from Re to Co that is consistent with a change of structure from decoration to core-shell. The lack of directly accessible Co atoms for SR catalysts with fully coated structure decreases the efficiency of Re reduction. The presence of Co-Re interaction resulting from the close contact between metals plays a dominant role in the hydrogenation of citral. Nevertheless, an excessively high contact degree is unnecessary for citral hydrogenation once Co-Re interaction has formed.