In this paper we present the conceptual design for the optimization of FT-diesel production process from switchgrass via gasification of biomass. We propose a limited superstructure where the process starts with the gasification of the biomass. Two different alternatives are evaluated, direct and indirect gasification. The gas obtained is cleaned up and its composition adjusted in terms of the ...

Protonated organic acid species have been shown to be the primary stimuli responsible for sour taste of organic acids. However, we have observed that sour taste may be modulated when the pH of acid solutions is raised using sodium hydroxide. Objectives were to evaluate the effect of pH adjustment on sour taste of equimolar protonated organic acid solutions and to investigate the potential roles...

Direct internal reforming in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) results in increased overall efficiency of the system. Present study focus on the chemical and electrochemical process in an internally reforming anode supported SOFC button cell running on humidified CH4 (3% H2O). The computational approach employs a detailed multi-step model for heterogeneous chemistry in the anode, modified Butler–Vol...

Biomass has the potential to serve as a sustainable source of energy and organic carbon for our industrialized society. The focus of this Review is to present an overview of chemical catalytic transformations of biomass-derived oxygenated feedstocks (primarily sugars and sugar-alcohols) in the liquid phase to value-added chemicals and fuels, with specific examples emphasizing the development of...

The physical adsorption of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gases on the zigzag (5,0) carbon nanotubes doped with nitrogen was investigated through the application of B3LYP/6-31G* at the level of theory on Gaussian 03 software. A variety of stable and high abundance structures of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes were considered in order to study the interaction between the mentioned gases in ...

Single step combustion synthesized Cu (5–15 at.-%)/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 materials containing highly dispersed copper have been assessed for methanol steam reforming (MSR). The activity patterns suggest Cu (10 at.-%)/Ce0.80Zr0.20O2 as the most active formulation, converting ~51% methanol at 300 °C at a gas hourly space velocity of 40,000 h-1 (W/F = 0.09 s). The in situ XPS experiments carried over the m...

Our industry commonly expends a great deal of energy on determining the concentrations and how to remove CO2 and H2S from sour natural gas in the design of a gas treating and processing facility. Their presence normally drives the size and cost of much of the facility. However, troublesome trace contaminants such as  mercury (Hg),  carbonyl sulfide (COS),  mercaptans (RSH),  and aromatics (...

Sour taste is influenced by pH and acids present in foods. It is not currently possible, however, to accurately predict and modify sour taste intensity in foods containing organic acids. The objective of this study was to investigate the roles of protonated (undissociated) organic acid species and hydrogen ions in evoking sour taste. Sour taste intensity increased linearly with hydrogen ion con...

Converting all U.S. onroad vehicles to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) may improve air quality, health, and climate significantly, whether the hydrogen is produced by steam reforming of natural gas, wind electrolysis, or coal gasification. Most benefits would result from eliminating current vehicle exhaust. Wind and natural gas HFCVs offer the greatest potential health benefits and could sa...

Landfill Gas to Energy This research investigates the utilization of landfill gas, an abundant waste product, by reforming it to syngas that can be converted to liquid fuels using Fischer Tropsch or to a H2 rich stream using water-gas shift. 65% of the 413 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated per year in the United States is landfilled, and 67% of the landfilled MSW is composed...