| 1. |
- Gulshan, Samina, et al.
(författare)
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Performance analysis and production of aromatics for ex situ catalytic pyrolysis of engineered WEEE
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-2370 .- 1873-250X. ; 179
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ex situ catalytic pyrolysis of engineered waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) was conducted in a two-stage reactor using HZSM-5 catalyst. The effect of the catalysis temperature and the catalyst-to-feedstock (C/F) ratio on products yield, gas and oil composition, and products characterization were investigated in this study. Results indicated that lower reforming temperature and C/F ratio favored organic fractions production. The highest yield of organic fraction was obtained at a catalysis temperature of 450 °C and at a C/F ratio of 0.15, corresponding to 28.5 and 27.4 wt %, respectively. The highest selectivity toward aromatic hydrocarbons and the lowest TAN value of the organic fraction were obtained at a catalysis temperature of 450 °C and a C/F ratio of 0.2, respectively. Most of the alkali and transition metals and 23 % of Br remained in the solid residue after the catalytic pyrolysis of low-grade electronic waste (LGEW).
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| 2. |
- Shi, Ziyi, et al.
(författare)
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Bio-based anode material production for lithium–ion batteries through catalytic graphitization of biochar : the deployment of hybrid catalysts
- 2024
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Producing sustainable anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) through catalytic graphitization of renewable biomass has gained significant attention. However, the technology is in its early stages due to the bio-graphite's comparatively low electrochemical performance in LIBs. This study aims to develop a process for producing LIB anode materials using a hybrid catalyst to enhance battery performance, along with readily available market biochar as the raw material. Results indicate that a trimetallic hybrid catalyst (Ni, Fe, and Mn in a 1:1:1 ratio) is superior to single or bimetallic catalysts in converting biochar to bio-graphite. The bio-graphite produced under this catalyst exhibits an 89.28% degree of graphitization and a 73.95% conversion rate. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) reveals the dissolution–precipitation mechanism involved in catalytic graphitization. Electrochemical performance evaluation showed that the trimetallic hybrid catalyst yielded bio-graphite with better electrochemical performances than those obtained through single or bimetallic hybrid catalysts, including a good reversible capacity of about 293 mAh g−1 at a current density of 20 mA/g and a stable cycle performance with a capacity retention of over 98% after 100 cycles. This study proves the synergistic efficacy of different metals in catalytic graphitization, impacting both graphite crystalline structure and electrochemical performance.
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| 3. |
- Yang, Hanmin, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Carbon-negative valorization of biomass waste into affordable green hydrogen and battery anodes
- 2023
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Ingår i: International journal of hydrogen energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0360-3199 .- 1879-3487.
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The global Sustainable Development Goals highlight the necessity for affordable and clean energy, designated as SDG7. A sustainable and feasible biorefinery concept is proposed for the carbon-negative utilization of biomass waste for affordable H2 and battery anode material production. Specifically, an innovative tandem biocarbon + NiAlO + biocarbon catalyst strategy is constructed to realize a complete reforming of biomass pyro-vapors into H2+CO (as a mixture). The solid residues from pyrolysis are upgraded into high-quality hard carbon (HCs), demonstrating potential as sodium ion battery (SIBs) anodes. The product, HC-1600-6h, exhibited great electrochemical performance when employed as (SIBs) anodes (full cell: 263 Wh/kg with ICE of 89%). Ultimately, a comprehensive process is designed, simulated, and evaluated. The process yields 75 kg H2, 169 kg HCs, and 891 kg captured CO2 per ton of biomass achieving approx. 100% carbon and hydrogen utilization efficiencies. A life cycle assessment estimates a biomass valorization process with negative-emissions (−0.81 kg CO2/kg-biomass, reliant on Sweden wind electricity). A techno-economic assessment forecasts a notably profitable process capable of co-producing affordable H2 and hard carbon battery anodes. The payback period of the process is projected to fall within two years, assuming reference prices of 13.7 €/kg for HCs and 5 €/kg for H2. The process contributes to a novel business paradigm for sustainable and commercially viable biorefinery process, achieving carbon-negative valorization of biomass waste into affordable energy and materials.
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| 4. |
- Yang, Hanmin, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Distributed electrified heating for efficient hydrogen production
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Nature Research. - 2041-1723. ; 15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study introduces a distributed electrified heating approach that is able to innovate chemical engineering involving endothermic reactions. It enables rapid and uniform heating of gaseous reactants, facilitating efficient conversion and high product selectivity at specific equilibrium. Demonstrated in catalyst-free CH4 pyrolysis, this approach achieves stable production of H2 (530 g h−1 L reactor−1) and carbon nanotube/fibers through 100% conversion of high-throughput CH4 at 1150 °C, surpassing the results obtained from many complex metal catalysts and high-temperature technologies. Additionally, in catalytic CH4 dry reforming, the distributed electrified heating using metallic monolith with unmodified Ni/MgO catalyst washcoat showcased excellent CH4 and CO2 conversion rates, and syngas production capacity. This innovative heating approach eliminates the need for elongated reactor tubes and external furnaces, promising an energy-concentrated and ultra-compact reactor design significantly smaller than traditional industrial systems, marking a significant advance towards more sustainable and efficient chemical engineering society.
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| 5. |
- Yang, Hanmin, 1992-
(författare)
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Sustainable valorization of Biomass into Syngas/H2 via Biocarbon catalyst
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Environmental issues stemming from the rapid growth in global energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions require urgent resolutions. Biomass represents a viable alternative for displacing fossil fuels, as its energy can be converted into electricity, heat, fuels, and chemical precursors, thus substituting petrochemicals. It is also the only carbon-containing renewable resource with substantial potential to mitigate environmental degradation, attain carbon-negative emissions, and drive sustainable development. Syngas production from biomass pyrolysis and in-line catalytic upgrading has attracted an increased attention, since it is a promising approach for further generating renewable bio-fuels, bio-chemicals, and bio-materials. Hydrogen isolated from bio-syngas is a clean and promising secondary energy source and carrier, capable of advancing a carbon-free energy system across technological, economic, and societal dimensions. This dissertation aims to realize a full valorization of biomass into renewable and affordable hydrogen-rich syngas and carbon-based battery anodes (hard carbons) through pyrolysis and in-line catalytic upgrading using biochar as the core of the catalyst strategy. Biochar, a carbon-enriched solid material with a carbon-neutral nature, emerges as a promising catalyst for promoting volatile upgrading owing to its extensively functionalized surface, porous structure, and resistance to coke deactivation.Optimization of the catalyst strategy using biochar-based catalysts in the catalytic upgrading process to enhance syngas quality is critical for scaling up the proposed process. This dissertation first investigated the effect of Ni-based, biochar, cascaded biochar+Ni-based, and engineered biochar catalysts on the catalytic performance in terms of the syngas yield, hydrogen yield, and gas energy conversion efficiency (GECE). Among them, the cascaded biochar+Ni-based catalyst and the Ni-doped biochar (NiBC) catalyst showed the most excellent catalytic performance. Using NiBC as a reforming catalyst introduced 78.2 wt. % of syngas consisting of an H2+CO proportion of 94.6 vol. % while applying cascaded biochar + NiAlO catalyst strategy resulted in 71 wt. % of syngas with a total H2+CO proportion of 89.5 vol. %. However, after a three-time test repetition, the Ni-doped biochar catalyst showed a slightly decreasing catalytic performance. In contrast, the cascaded biochar+NiAlO catalyst showed a stable promoting performance in terms of syngas and H2 yields after 15 feeding cycles. In addition, plastic waste, being a carbonaceous resource, was also applied in the pyrolysis and in-line catalytic upgrading process for hydrogen and high-value-added carbon production by using biochar as a cracking catalyst. In order to evaluate the techno-economic viability of the proposed process, a novel biorefinery concept was simulated and assessed based on the above results, aiming to produce affordable hydrogen and high-quality hard carbons from biomass and to realize negative carbon emissions. The proposed biorefinery was estimated to produce 75 kg of H2, 169 kg of hard carbon, and 891 kg of captured CO2 (95% purity) per metric ton of biomass while realizing a payback period (PBP) within two years at reference prices of 13.7 €/kg and 5 €/kg for HCs and H2. At the same time, a negative emission of the proposed biorefinery could be achieved with -0.89 kg CO2-eq/kg-biomass based on Sweden’s wind electricity, considering the captured CO2.A pilot-scale system using a continuous pyrolysis reactor was deployed to scale up the capacity of the proposed process. The catalytic performance of biochar was examined in terms of products’ distribution, gas composition and gas properties. Critical parameters, such as the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), particle size and the morphology of the catalysts, and pressure drop of the catalyst bed, were evaluated. The results showed that a lower WHSV favours a higher syngas yield, a higher H2+CO proportion, and a higher hydrogen yield due to a longer residence time for volatiles-char contacts. Smaller catalyst particle sizes correspond to higher bed pressure drop, which resulted in a higher syngas and hydrogen yield. In addition, biochar particles with larger bulk density and more spherical and rounded shape introduced higher syngas yield, H2 +CO proportion, and H2 yield compared to the particles with elongated and angular shape. The stability of using biochar as a catalyst in a continuous feeding system was also examined and verified in this dissertation, which indicated its great anti-coking performance.
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| 6. |
- Yang, Hanmin, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Syngas production from biomass pyrolysis followed by in-line biochar-catalytic reforming : the effect of space velocity, particle size, and morphology
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A syngas production based on a biomass pyrolysis followed by an in-line catalytic reforming process is a promising method to help curb greenhouse gas emissions. The use of biochar as the reforming catalyst is economically and technologically attractive. A continuous pyrolysis combined with an in-line biochar-catalytic reforming of the pyrolysis vapor was investigated in a comprehensive system consisting of an auger reactor and a downstream fixed-bed rector. The effect of the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), particle size and morphology of biochar, and the pressure drop of the biochar bed on the catalytic performance were discussed. The results indicated that a higher syngas yield with a higher H2+CO proportion was obtained when using a lower WHSV, due to a longer residence time. The highest syngas and H2 yields were obtained when using biochar with the smallest particles sizes (0.6-1 mm), i.e. the highest bed pressure drops. The use of biochar particles, which are more spherical and rounded, resulted in higher syngas yields, H2 +CO proportions, and H2 yields due to the enhanced heat and mass transfer favored by the rounded shape. Up to 12 mmol H2/g-biomass was obtained, corresponding to a dry gas yield of 0.68 Nm3/kg , containing 39 vol. % H2 and 27 vol. % CO. The use of biochar as a reforming catalyst showed a relatively stable catalytic performance after during a 100-minutes of running the experimentexperimental run-time.
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| 7. |
- Lu, Yu-Chiao, et al.
(författare)
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Applications of Hydrochar and Charcoal in the Iron and Steelmaking Industry—Part 1: Characterization of Carbonaceous Materials
- 2022
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Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 14:15, s. 9488-9488
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The iron and steelmaking industry faces the dilemma of the need to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions to align with decarbonization goals, while at the same time fulfill the increasing steel demand from the growing population. Replacing fossil coal and coke with biomass-based carbon materials reduces the net carbon dioxide emissions. However, there is currently a shortage of charcoal to fully cover the demand from the iron and steelmaking industry to achieve the emission-reduction goals. Moreover, the transportation and energy sectors can compete for biofuel usage in the next few decades. Simultaneously, our society faces challenges of accumulation of wastes, especially wet organic wastes that are currently not reused and recycled to their full potentials. Here, hydrothermal carbonization is a technology which can convert organic feedstocks with high moisture contents to solid fuels (hydrochar, one type of biochar) as an alternative renewable carbon material. This work studied the differences between a hydrochar, produced from lemon peels (Lemon Hydrochar), and two types of charcoals (with and without densification) and an Anthracite coal. Characterizations such as chemical and ash compositions, thermogravimetric analyses in nitrogen and carbon dioxide atmospheres, scanning electron microscope analyses of carbon surface morphologies, and pyrolysis up to 1200 °C were performed. The main conclusions from this study are the following: (1) hydrochar has a lower thermal stability and a higher reactivity compared to charcoal and Anthracite; (2) densification resulted in a reduction of the moisture pickup and CO2 reactivity of charcoal; (3) pyrolysis of Lemon Hydrochar resulted in the formation of a large amount of tar (17 wt%) and gas (39 wt%), leading to its low fixed carbon content (27 wt%); (4) a pyrolyzed hydrochar (up to 1200 °C) has a comparable higher heating value to those of charcoal and Anthracite, but its phosphorous, ash, and alkalis contents increased significantly; (5) based on the preliminary assessment, hydrochar should be blended with charcoal or Anthracite, or be upgraded through slow pyrolysis to fulfill the basic functions of carbon in the high-temperature metallurgical processes.
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