(DURIP-20)MICROREACTOR FOR SUB-NANO CLUSTER CATALYSIS OF FUEL ENDOTHERMIC CHEMISTRY
Abstract
This project will fabricate a microreactor instrument for use in characterizing the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of sub-nano cluster catalysts being developed for endothermic fuel cooling reactions of interest for hypersonic propulsion systems. The microreactor will allow catalytic kinetics to be measured at temperatures up to ~1000 K, and pressures as high as 40 atmospheres. The design involves a microreactor flow cell formed from pairs of expendable micro-machined silicon chips, the inner surfaces of which are coated with the catalyst of interest. The primary use will be in testing size-selected, sub-nano alloy clusters supported on silica or other oxides of interest. Reactions to be studied include dehydrogenation of a series of hydrocarbon molecules of increasing size and structural complexity. The goal is to allow testing under conditions that are relevant to those present in fuel systems. The microreactor will facilitate the experimental program of an on-going AFOSR funded effort aimed at understanding and developing sub-nano catalysts that can remain active under high pressure, high temperature, hydrocarbon-rich conditions where carbon deposition and sintering often lead to rapid deactivation. The microreactor will complement studies at low pressure using surface science methods, and at moderate pressures using environmental electron microscopy methods. The results will be used to test catalysts and validate theoretical models being developed as part of the AFOSR effort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010170
Entities
People
- Scott L. Anderson
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Utah