Selective Oxidation Reactions: A Chemical Looping Approach
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
The principle of utilising regenerable lattice oxygen from a solid metal oxide carrier can be exploited for producing value-added chemicals through selective oxidation chemistry. The hypothesis of a chemical looping approach to selective oxidations is to render the reaction safer, more selective and more intensive. The assessment of this concept for industrially-relevant reactions such as the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane and propane and the epoxidation of ethylene will be investigated in this project through a program of experimental research and process evaluation. This will establish the potential feasibility and benefits compared with current industrial technologies. The work aligns with the EPSRC's theme of Manufacturing the future, through catalytic material and sustainable process development and grows the Catalysis and Process Systems: Components and Integration research areas.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/R511870/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2135101 | Studentship | EP/R511870/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/12/2021 | Samuel Gabra |
| Description | The key finding associated with this award is the ability to produce industrially-important chemicals in a safer and greener way compared to existing approaches. We were able to identify two chemicals that we can produce at much lower temperatures and with high intensity and low emissions. These are ethylene and ethylene oxide. We hope to expand this discovery further in the next steps. |
| Exploitation Route | In this award, we investigated the feasibility of a novel approach for the safer, greener and more intensive production of important chemicals. The investigations were a proof-of-concept and was limited to small-scale experiments and computer simulations. We can take the outcomes of this award forward by scaling up the experiments to be applicable for an industrial scale. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
| Description | The impact of these findings signifies a part of the push towards sustainability. Given the urge for less carbon emissions to combat global warming, the findings of this study aim to decrease the carbon footprint of the petrochemical industry, which is believed to be still in place at least for the next few decades |
| Sector | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |