Transport phenomena and reaction engineering: basic research and practical applications Renzo Di Felice 1,2 1 School of Engineering Nazarbayev University, ASTANA (Kazakhstan) and 2 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica ed Ambientale, GENOVA (Italy)
Fluid dynamic of multiphase systems Process engineering Membrane applications CO2 capture and re-use
FLUID DYNAMIC OF MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS
THE INVERSION PROBLEM
Basic equations describing multiphase systems are known but they need proper closure relationships as far as: Interaction force in solid-fluid systems Solid possessing different shape, size and density Confining wall effects More than one fluid present Effect of changing pressure and temperature
Results currently used in Geology and Petroleum Engineering
CFD applications in multiphase flow Just because the results are in colour, it doesn t mean they are right (Stitt et al., Johnson and Matthew)
Process engineering (in collaboration with the Mechanical Engineering Dept.)
External Fuel Processing for RRFCS Problems statement (Sulphur poisoning, Higher hydrocarbon thermal cracking, Cell leakage Safe gas, Anodic loop steam priming, Off-gas burner ignition during start-up) Process selection: literature research, thermodynamic analysis and when needed lab scale tests to validate or reject the process: Desulphurization: Passive adsorption, HDS, Selective Catalytic Partial Oxidation Pre-reforming: Steam Reforming, Dry reforming, Hydrogenolysis External reforming: Catalytic Partial Oxidation Inerting Combustor: Staged-fuel, Staged-air, Nitrogen Dilution Component volume estimation and EFP layout Interface between GM and EFP (GM fuel requirement state point diagram, EFP state point diagram, safe gas to natural gas transition modelling) Modelling support (thermodynamics, thermal analysis and reactors control strategy) to SOFCo for 250kWe EFP concept and design
Fuel processing and clean up for fuel cell applications Gas Cleaning Heat Exch. FELICTAS (EU funded) Fuel: Naval distillate, LPG Generator: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power: 30 kw el Reformer Air LARGE SOFC (EU funded) Fuel: Biogas Generator: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power: 250 kw el / stack Biogas reservoir SOFC DC/AC Biogas (CO+H 2 ) Biogas clean up
The use of membrane in unit operations (in collaboration with the Industrial Chemistry Dept.)
Gas separation by membrane very promising, but a lot of work must be done to design the correct membrane
CO 2 removal from a gas stream and its re-use
State of the art for CO2 capture Energy intensive What to do with the CO2 captured?
CO 2 trasf (mol/m 2 s) Experimental CO2 absorption rate 0,01 0,008 0,006 0,004 0,002 0 MDEA 30% MDEA 30% + PZ 5% MDEA 30% + PZ 10% MEA 20%
Energy demand for solvent regeneration (from our simulation work using existing plant operating parameters) Process Energy demand (MJ/kg CO2) MEA 4.05 MDEA 3.45 MDEA+PZ 3.20
CO2 re-use Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) Building block for chemicals
CONCLUSIONS (based on personal experience) Industry and academia have different goals Nevertheless there are plenty of common grounds Academia have to understand industry needs Industries have to trust academia
Transport phenomena and reaction engineering: basic research and practical applications Renzo Di Felice 1,2 1 School of Engineering Nazarbayev University, ASTANA (Kazakhstan) and 2 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica ed Ambientale, GENOVA (Italy)