E. Alpay

High Temperature Recovery of CO2 from Flue Gases Using Hydrotalcite Adsorbent

Experimental and theoretical studies on the high temperature recovery of CO2 from flue gases are presented. The work employs a potassium promoted hydrotalcite adsorbent, for which CO2 capacities in excess 0.8 mol kg−1 were measured at temperatures of 481 K and 575 K and in the presence of high concentrations (∼30% (v/v)) of water. Elution profiles from a bench-scale adsorption unit also enabled analysis of adsorption and desorption kinetics. A cyclic and multibed process for the continuous and energy efficient recovery of CO2 is proposed. The process involves an integrated energy recovery step for the generation of steam, which is then used for the recovery of CO2 from the adsorbed phase. A mathematical model for the CO2-hydrotalcite system, based on measured equilibria and kinetic data, is used for the preliminary assessment of the process, e.g. in terms of CO2 product purity and steam consumption. Particular attention is given to CO2 recovery from the stack gas of a typical 10 MW coal-fired power plant. The work has application to existing industrial processes in which recovered CO2 (at elevated temperatures) can be used as a feedstock for further catalytic processing, such as dry methane reforming and carbon gasification.

The linear driving force model for fast-cycle adsorption and desorption in a spherical particle

Two analytical solutions for the stepwise cyclic diffusion problem in a spherical particle have been presented. The first was based on a Fourier series expansion, and provided an exact solution to the problem. The second was based on penetration theory. Both solutions provide a direct representation of the cyclic equilibrium condition

Student enthusiasm for engineering: charting changes in student aspirations and motivation

Many recent teaching initiatives in engineering education have the underlying premise of improving student engagement with global issues and providing first-hand experience of complex problems associated with sustainable development and production. A greater understanding of actual motivational drivers may help in student recruitment and retention, and address, e.g. gender disparity. In this work, student motivations and aspirations are explored through a cross-faculty survey of undergraduate engineering students. The results indicate that while many students start an engineering degree with an aspiration to ‘invent something new’ and ‘make a difference to the world’, these diminish with time to be dominated by issues such as financial security. Students who continue to aspire to the creative/high-impact notions of engineering also maintain an enthusiasm for engineering. However, all students desire more practical work and skills training. Based on these findings, some general recommendations are given for further inspiring students towards engineering.

Simulation of rapid pressure swing adsorption and reaction processes

Abstract A general model for non-isothermal adsorption and reaction in a rapid pressure swing process is described. Several numerical discretisation methods for the solution of the model are compared. These include the methods of orthogonal collocation, orthogonal collocation on finite elements, double orthogonal collocation on finite elements, and cells-in-series. Computationally, orthogonal collocation on finite elements is found to be the most efficient of these. The model is applied to air separation for oxygen production. Calculations confirm the formation of a concentration shock when an adsorbent bed is pressurised with air. The form and propagation of the shock over short times is found to be in excellent agreement with the exact similarity transformation solutions derived for an infinitely long bed. For air separation, novel experimental measurements, showing an optimum particle size for maximum product oxygen purity, are accurately described by the model. Calculations indicate that a poor separation results from ineffective pressure swing for beds containing very small particles, and from intraparticle diffusional limitations for beds containing very large particles. For adsorption coupled with reaction, finite rate and reversible reactions are considered. These include both competitive and non-competitive reaction schemes. For the test case of a dilute reaction A &.rlhar2; B + 3C, with B the only adsorbing species, bed pressurisation calculations are found to be in excellent agreement with the solutions obtained by the method of characteristics.

Combined reaction and separation in pressure swing processes

Abstract Theoretical studies of a novel reactor which combines pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and chemical reaction are presented; such a reactor is referred to as a pressure swing reactor, or PSR. The design is based on a conventional two-bed PSA process, in which many of the usual cycle configurations for operation are possible, e.g. simple and purge cycles. Each bed contains a mixture of an active catalyst for reaction, and a selective adsorbent for the adsorption of one or more of the reaction species. Theoretical calculations predict that such a process may lead to greater conversions than conventional steady flow reactors, and thus allow a lower temperature of operation for a desired conversion. Furthermore, for equilibrium reactions of the general formaA ⇌bB +cC, and especially when an adsorbent can be chosen such that the adsorption equilibrium constants are in the sequenceHB > [HA,HC], possible improvements over equilibrium conversions are indicated. In this work, theoretical investigations have concentrated on three types of reversible reaction schemes; isomerisation, dissociation/disproportionation, and dehydrogenation; potential advantages of a PSR have been illustrated for these. As a test case, experimental investigations have concentrated on the dehydrogenation reaction of methylcyclohexane to toluene, for which a Pt Al2O3 catalyst was found to have suitable activity at temperatures as low as 450 K. Pulse chromatography experiments have been carried out to scan the high temperature (400 K to 700 K) adsorption properties of methylcyclohexane, toluene and hydrogen on some commercial adsorbents; clay-based adsorbents were found to be particularly suitable for this case, yielding the desired sequence of adsorption strengths.

Enhancement of catalytic reaction by pressure swing adsorption

Abstract A theoretical study of an adsorptive reactor which combines multibed pressure swing adsorption and chemical reaction is presented; such a reactor is referred to as a pressure swing reactor, or PSR. Studies have concentrated on an asymptotic case in which there is the ideal propagation of concentration waves within the reactor beds; the method of characteristics was employed in the solution of the governing PSR equations. The studies assessed the effects of operating conditions, and cycle configurations, on the PSR performance. Calculations indicate enhanced reactant conversion when compared to conventional steady state plug flow operation. In particular, for some reversible reactions, substantial improvements over equilibrium yields have been calculated. For example, for the dissociation reaction 2A ⇔ B + C, and where B is the only adsorbing component, approximately two-fold improvements over the equilibrium yield of product B have been predicted. Such reaction enhancement can be attributed to the limitation of the backward reaction, which results from the separation of the product species B and C. In addition to the method of characteristics, a cells-in-series method for the asymptotic case has been developed, and found to yield calculations consistent with the method of characteristics solutions. In a third numerical approach, the spatial discretisation technique of orthogonal collocation on finite elements was applied to the governing PSR equations, and the resulting system of ordinary differential equations solved by a standard integration algorithm. In this case, many of the simplifying model assumptions were relaxed, allowing, for example, the simulation of a non-isothermal PSR with finite mass transfer rates. One practical significance of reaction enhancement by pressure swing adsorption is a lower temperature of operation than in a conventional reactor. This would lead to savings in the energy requirements of the reactor, and limit the rate and degree of catalyst deactivation due to coke deposition or sintering.

Student-led podcasting for engineering education

The use of podcasts is challenging traditional communication methods in higher education, with the potential for creating engaging and flexible resources for learning and development. Likewise, podcasts are helping to facilitate a stronger student identity and community within learning environments, replacing traditional student newsletter and website approaches. In this work, an innovative podcasting approach is presented in which there is a strong student-centred and student-led premise to foster and advance engineering education-related uses. Podcasts are intended to cover a range of relevant engineering topics, such as sharing student views on global, institutional and scientific developments and disseminating information on unique educational opportunities. Details on the design, set-up and implementation of the initiative are presented (e.g. resource requirements, management and organisation structures, maintenance of balanced educational outcomes). An evaluation of the experiences of the team members is also presented, showing favourable outcomes in skills development, community identity and broader educational awareness.

Adsorbent particle size effects in the separation of air by rapid pressure swing adsorption

Abstract Experimental and theoretical investigations into air separation by rapid pressure swing adsorption over zeolite 5A are presented. These concentrate on the effect of adsorbent particle size on the separation performance of the unit undergoing simple cycles consisting of pressurisation and depressurisation steps. An optimum particle size for maximum cyclic equilibrium product oxygen purity is shown to exist; this is accurately predicted by model simulation. Calculations indicate that for beds containing very small particles, a poor separation results from ineffective pressure swing, and for beds containing very large particles from intraparticle diffusional limitations. For the zeolite 5A adsorbent used in this work, theoretical calculations indicate that the rate limiting intraparticle diffusion is described by a parallel combination of molecular and Knudsen diffusion within the macropores of the adsorbent particles. Axial dispersion within the bed is also shown to have a significant effect upon the cyclic equilibrium value of the cycle-average product oxygen purity. In addition to measurements at the cyclic equilibrium, temporal profiles of the product oxygen purity during the approach to cyclic equilibrium are shown. Under certain operating conditions, an overshoot of oxygen purity is found to exist. This behaviour can be attributed to ineffective pressure swing within the product end region of the bed, and thus to the poor utilisation of adsorbent in this region.

Charting the Elements of Pedagogic Frailty.

Abstract Background: The concept of pedagogic frailty has been proposed as a unifying concept that may help to integrate institutional efforts to enhance teaching improvement within universities by helping to maintain a simultaneous focus on four key areas that are thought to impede development. Purpose: The variation in internal structure of the four dimensions of pedagogic frailty and the links that have been proposed to connect them are explored here through the analysis of interviews with academics working in a variety of disciplinary areas. Methods: The application of concept map-mediated interviews allows us to view the variable connections within and between these dimensions and the personal ways they are conceptualised by academics working across the heterogeneous university context. Results: The data show that academics conceptualise the discourse of teaching in various ways that have implications for the links that may be developed to integrate the elements within the model. Conclusions: Whilst the form and content of the maps representing dimensions of the pedagogic frailty model exhibit considerable variation, it is suggested that factors such as academic resilience and the explicit use of integrative concepts within disciplines may help to overcome some of the vulnerabilities that accompany pedagogic frailty. The data also raises questions about the links between factors that tend to be under individual control and those that tend towards institutional control.

A Skills Perception Inventory for Evaluating Postgraduate Transferable Skills Development

This article reports on the development, application and results of a skills evaluation inventory which was specifically designed to provide quantitative feedback on the effects of a three‐day residential training course attended by PhD students early in their research careers. The course was developed at Imperial College London, partly in response to the ‘Roberts’ agenda, which has highlighted the importance of transferable skills to the future careers of researchers. The questionnaire aims to measure student perceptions of their skill levels in four key areas. In addition a scale was included to measure changes in their general attitudes towards the benefits or otherwise of training in transferable skills. The inventory was administered at the very beginning and end of the course. Statistical analysis was used to refine the inventory and as a result all five scales were found to have good reliability. The results showed that after attending the course there were statistically significant increases in the participants’ perceived levels of skill in each area and a more positive attitude to skills development courses overall was demonstrated. Furthermore, differences in skill perceptions were observed depending on the gender and residential status of researchers. For example, female researchers were found to have generally lower levels of confidence than males, specifically for pre‐course beliefs on group work and communications skills. A further benefit is that the findings have helped to win respect and support for continued investment in the residential course programme.