Advanced Method for Renewable Ethanol by Direct Synthesis from Syngas for Renewable Fuel Applications Julia Fisher, Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University Nathalia Backeljauw, Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati June 29,

Goals Gain research experience and understanding Gain research experience and understanding Engineer more efficient and effective catalysts by performing experiments Engineer more efficient and effective catalysts by performing experiments Build teamwork skills and gain leadership experience Build teamwork skills and gain leadership experience 2

Tasks Familiarize with the project Familiarize with the project –Safety –Literature Review Calibrate Calibrate –Mass flow meter –Gas Chromatographer, Thermal Conductivity Detector, Flame Ionization Detector, Mass Spectrometer Synthesize Catalyst Synthesize Catalyst –Co-precipitation Method 3

Tasks cont. Run reaction with catalyst and collect data Run reaction with catalyst and collect data –CO conversion –Ethanol selectivity Interpret Data Interpret Data Final Presentations and Poster Final Presentations and Poster 4

Materials Gas Chromatographer (GC) Gas Chromatographer (GC) –Flame Ionization Detector (FID), Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD), Column, 16-Port Valve HP Chem Station Software HP Chem Station Software 5

Gas Chromatographer 6 Separates gases Temperature ramps separate vapors

Temperature Ramp 7 Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)

TCD 8 Filament measures thermal conductivity Uses helium as reference gas Does not destroy sample

FID 9 Ionizes sample Ionized particles detected by sensor Destroys sample

Column 10 Capillary 50 meters long 0.2 millimeter diameter

Setup 11

Calibration Methods 12 Helium Gases Sample GC FID TCD Column Switch 16-Port Valve

Calibration Methods cont. GC Settings: GC Settings: –Pressure: 20 psi or ≈ 138 kPa –Temperature Ramp: °C at 10°C/min –TCD Temperature: 150 °C –FID Temperature: 250 °C –100:1 split (helium: sample) 13

Calibration Methods cont. Inject liquid products into setup via septum; mixed with gas in hot tubing Inject liquid products into setup via septum; mixed with gas in hot tubing Store known amounts in the 16-port valve Store known amounts in the 16-port valve Analyze samples in gas phase Analyze samples in gas phase 14

Calibration of Gas Flow Check mass flow meter using bubble flow tube Check mass flow meter using bubble flow tube 15

Timeline Tasks/Weeks Familiarize w/ project* Calibration*** Synthesize catalysts*** Run reactor/record results/interpret data*** Final presentation/poster** 16

Week 1 Day/EventAssignmentsResearchMeetingsLiterature Monday Tuesday ✔✔ Wednesday ✔✔ Thursday ✔✔ Friday ✔✔✔ 17

Week 2 Day/EventAssignmentsResearchMeetingsLiterature Monday ✔✔ Tuesday ✔✔ Wednesday ✔ Thursday ✔ Friday ✔ 18