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Radio Frequency Driven Heating of Catalytic Reactors for Portable Green Chemistry
Author(s) -
Patil Nutan,
Mishra Naveen K.,
Saed Mohammad A.,
Green Micah J.,
Wilhite Benjamin A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced sustainable systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.499
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2366-7486
DOI - 10.1002/adsu.202000095
Subject(s) - catalysis , materials science , steam reforming , nanomaterials , dielectric heating , silicon carbide , methanol , ceramic , radio frequency , chemical engineering , carbon fibers , carbon nanotube , nanotechnology , process engineering , chemistry , hydrogen production , metallurgy , electrical engineering , organic chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , engineering , composite number , dielectric
Here, a novel integration is proposed for radio frequency (1–300 MHz) responsive nanomaterials with conventional catalytic materials to realize a new class of heterogeneous catalysts that undergo uniform volumetric and localized heating to drive chemical transformations at the modular scale. Approximately 80% of chemical manufacturing involves heterogeneous catalytic reactions, which currently require heating via steam utilities or fired furnaces, and thus contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions while also limiting distributed chemicals production. This approach uses an electric route to produce chemicals where radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields and their interaction with carbon/ceramic nanomaterials are utilized to selectively heat the catalyst composition. A proof‐of‐concept is demonstrated using the commonly studied methanol steam reforming reaction on a platinum catalyst. In this study, two RF susceptors are used: carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide fibers. The conversion rate of methanol using RF heating is comparable to oven heating at varying temperature and catalyst combinations. This is a potential improvement over conventional catalytic reactors in that it enables small, safe, sustainable, on‐site, and on‐demand production of chemicals in the absence of traditional manufacturing infrastructure.