Effect of Co-existing gases on hydrogen permeation through a Pd82-Ag18/α-Al2O3 membrane during transient start-up.

The work aimed to study the influence of co-existing gaseous mixture (H2-N2-CO-CO2) on hydrogen permeation through the counter-current flow of a Pd82-Ag18/α-Al2O3 membrane during transient start-up at 350 °C and atmospheric pressure. The membrane was operated for an 8-h. Its performance was measured in terms of hydrogen flux and recovery. The results were mapped on Sieverts-Fick's line and showed a slight membrane deactivation because of the presence of N2 and CO2 in the feed gas. The membrane deactivation became more profound when CO was a constituent. The effect of the co-existing gases on the hydrogen flux, in increasing order, was CO > CO2>N2. The co-existing gases, if present as a significant fraction, induces dilution, concentration polarization, and inhibition over the membrane surface, decreases the membrane performance in term of hydrogen recovery, time lag during transient start-up, and deactivation. It is recommended that the start-up might be run using equimolar H2-N2 mixture.

Coke-Resistant Ni/CeZrO2 Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane to Produce Hydrogen-Rich Syngas.

Dry reforming of methane was studied over high-ratio zirconia in ceria-zirconia-mixed oxide-supported Ni catalysts. The catalyst was synthesized using co-precipitation and impregnation methods. The effects of the catalyst support and Ni composition on the physicochemical characteristics and performance of the catalysts were investigated. Characterization of the physicochemical properties was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-physisorption, H2-TPR, and CO2-TPD. The results of the activity and stability evaluations of the synthesized catalysts over a period of 240 min at a temperature of 700 °C, atmospheric pressure, and WHSV of 60,000 mL g−1 h−1 showed that the 10%Ni/CeZrO2 catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic performance, with conversions of CH4 and CO2 up to 74% and 55%, respectively, being reached. The H2/CO ratio in the product was 1.4, which is higher than the stoichiometric ratio of 1, indicating a higher formation of H2. The spent catalysts showed minimal carbon deposition based on the thermo-gravimetry analysis, which was <0.01 gC/gcat, so carbon deposition could be neglected.

The removal of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol ester and glycidyl ester from refined-bleached and deodorized palm oil using activated carbon.

Palm oil has fulfilled most of the oil needs in the food sector in the world. However, palm oil is indicated to contain small amounts of compounds that are harmful to humans, especially to infants. These toxic contaminants are 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) esters and glycidyl esters (GE), which are formed during the deodorization of palm oil at high temperatures. This study aims to reduce the 3-MCPD ester concentration in refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO) through adsorption using activated carbon. The activated carbons were treated with heat and acid-washing using HCl at various concentrations and were characterized. The treatment altered the physicochemical characteristics of the activated carbon (surface area, pore volume, pHPZC, and CEC), resulting in the enhancement of its adsorption characteristics (adsorption capacity). The activated carbon treated with 2 N HCl (AC 2 N) was chosen as the proper adsorbent, due to better surface area, better pore volume, highest CEC value, and better positive charge in RBDPO. The 3-MCPD and GE adsorption capacity of AC 2 N was 1.48 mg g-1 and 29.68 mg g-1, respectively. The adsorption ability of pretreated activated carbon towards 3-MCPD esters was examined in a batch system at various adsorption temperatures. The 3-MCPD ester concentration in RBDPO was successfully reduced by up to 80% at 35 °C using the activated carbon treated with 2 N HCl solution. On the other hand, the activated carbon was able to reduce the other contaminant of GE in RBDPO up to 97% from the initial concentration of GE.