Cristina Italiano

Sorbents with high efficiency for CO2 capture based on amines-supported carbon for biogas upgrading

Sorbents for CO2 capture have been prepared by wet impregnation of a commercial active carbon (Ketjen-black, Akzo Nobel) with two CO2-philic compounds, polyethylenimine (PEI) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), respectively. The effects of amine amount (from 10 to 70wt.%), CO2 concentration in the feed, sorption temperature and gas hourly space velocity on the CO2 capture performance have been investigated. The sorption capacity has been evaluated using the breakthrough method, with a fixed bed reactor equipped with on line gas chromatograph. The samples have been characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX). A promising CO2 sorption capacity of 6.90 mmol/gsorbent has been obtained with 70wt.% of supported TEPA at 70°C under a stream containing 80vol% of CO2. Sorption tests, carried out with simulated biogas compositions (CH4/CO2 mixtures), have revealed an appreciable CO2 separation selectivity; stable performance was maintained for 20 adsorption-desorption cycles.

Solution combustion synthesis for preparation of structured catalysts: A mini-review on process intensification for energy applications and pollution control

Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a preparation technique that can be used to synthesize a variety of inorganic nanomaterials and structured catalysts. It is based on a self-propagating exothermic redox reaction between organic salts and a fuel mixed together in an aqueous solution, which results in the formation of nanocrystalline and highly pure solid nanomaterials. SCS can be considered as an attractive synthesis method for catalysts due to the simple nature of the synthetic route and short reaction times. The process is easily scaled up to any kind of application which makes it economically attractive. This mini-review provides a short overview on the synthesis of structured catalysts by SCS and their recent utilization for energy applications and pollution control.

Nickel–Iron/Gadolinium-Doped Ceria (CGO) Composite Electrocatalyst as a Protective Layer for a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Fed with Biofuels

The performance and reliability of a commercial solid‐oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with the anode coated by a protective catalytic layer is demonstrated. Physico‐chemical and electrochemical characterizations of a Ni–Fe/gadolinium‐doped ceria (CGO) electrocatalyst forming the protective layer are reported. The anode layer was prepared by using a procedure that favors the interaction between Ni and Fe. Power densities approaching 0.3 W cm−2 for the SOFC cell fed with dry organic fuels were obtained. A time test was performed in the presence of a large flow rate of dry organic fuels under operating conditions (0.8 V) showing appropriate fuel flexibility for the device. The resistance to sulfur contamination was verified by feeding increasing amounts of H2S. The cell showed only moderate performance losses until 80 ppm of sulfur contaminant.

Biogas: a Possible New Pathway to Methanol?

Biogas is one of the energy sources that are gaining more and more importance in Europe and, in particular, in Italy and Germany. Nowadays, it is used for the combined production of heat and power. Here we propose to use all of its major components (CO2and CH4) to produce methanol. A feasibility study of this process is reported, where we optimize the interactions between reforming and methanol synthesis, depending also on the variations in biogas composition due to the nature of the raw material, i.e. biomass. Finally, we identify the optimal region in which syngas composition should be included.

Biogas Reforming for Hydrogen Production: Performance of Ni/La-Ce-O Catalysts

Biogas, a renewable source of CH4 and CO2, is used for hydrogen generation by tri-reforming reaction; the reaction is a combination of CO2 reforming, steam reforming and partial oxidation of CH4 in a single catalytic step.Several Ni/La-Ce-O mixed oxides, prepared by combustion synthesis, were used as catalysts. The experimental tests, carried out with synthetic biogas at 800°C with a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 30000 h-1, were aimed to study the influence of different parameters (amount of La doping, Ni load and feed composition) on the catalysts activity and stability. The synergic effect of nickel-lanthana-surface oxygen vacancies of ceria influences the samples activity.

Steam Reforming, Partial Oxidation, and Autothermal Reforming of Ethanol for Hydrogen Production in Conventional Reactors

Abstract The hydrogen production from ethanol by conventional steam reforming, partial oxidation, and autothermal reforming processes is investigated. A comparable analysis of processes configuration, reforming reactors, and catalyst features is provided. The processes are analyzed from theoretical and practical point of view, outlining the process efficiency for distributed application. The role of the catalyst and the process conditions in determining the ethanol conversion and the hydrogen yield is also elucidated.

Development of a Subscale Hydrogen Generator Unit for SOFC as APU for Naval Applications

This paper covers the current activities at the CNR-ITAE aimed to developing a diesel steam reforming (SR) Hydrogen Generator based unit, dedicated to a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) in a power range until 1 kWe, to support auxiliary power units (APUs) for naval applications. The unit will is able to convert n-dodecane, as a diesel surrogate, with a nominal syngas production of 0.5 Nm3/h and a maximum hydrogen production of 1.5 Nm3/h.