Plasma-Assisted Molecular Activation and Conversion of Light Hydrocarbons to Aromatics
Abstract
Perhaps one of the most difficult challenges for vessels at sea is the ability to produce fuel on-board with the limited resources available. Progress has been made to convert dissolved CO2 in seawater to hydrocarbons through the reverse water gas shift reactionfollowed by Fischer-Tropsch chemistry to form liquid hydrocarbons. The product distribution from Fischer-Tropsch technology is a strong function of catalyst type and process conditions, where the light end hydrocarbons (C1-C9) selectivity can reach 50% at an alpha value of ~0.84 following a Shultz-Flory distribution. However, a significant portion of the hydrocarbon stream is unusable as a jet fuel. The development of carbon efficient transformations of light hydrocarbons to directly produce aromatics or higher molecularweight products for fuel blending remains a critical need.In this expansion proposal, the PIs propose to develop a modular and flexible non-thermal plasma-assisted, catalytic process that can convert methane(and mixtures with other hydrocarbons) directly to aromatics, providing value to an otherwise undesired hydrocarbon source. We hypothesize that careful control of plasma properties coupled with appropriate catalyst selection will generate non-thermal intermediates and open surface kinetic pathways at low temperature and ambient pressure to facilitate high production rates of aromatics. In this proposal, the PIs propose two specific Expanded Objectives to address this grand challenge. The PIs will characterize the non-thermal plasma and identify plasma-phase reaction pathwaysto provide fundamental insight into the activation of methane under plasma stimulation (Expanded Objective 1). The PIs will incorporate knowledge of plasma-phase reactions in Expanded Objective 1 with catalyst screening and reactor configuration studies (Expanded Objective 2). The PIs will thoroughly interrogate the plasma-assisted catalytic system, exploiting expertise in both experiment and modeling of thesesystems, to selectively produce aromatics from a hydrocarbon feed stream. Taken together, the objectives in thisproposal are cross-cutting through the application of plasma design, catalyst design, and reactor design strategies to achieve the overall project goals. The successful completion of this project could have a profound impact on the modular production of jet fuelsfrom non-traditional feedstocks. The proposed research is directly in line with the needs of the Naval Research Laboratory and meets the requirements in the Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology. Further, theassembled team encompasses the diverse skill sets and backgrounds (catalyst synthesis and evaluation under non-thermal plasma stimulation, plasma physics and chemistry, atomistic and microkinetic modeling) necessary to achieve the project objectives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2025
- Source ID
- N000142512226
Entities
People
- Jason C Hicks
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Notre Dame