The effect of Au in the behavior of Ru as a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst was studied. Two series of catalysts were investigated, one supported on Si02 and the other on MgO. Au did not seem to alter the product distribution on Ru at pressures up to 1 MPa and in the temperature range 490-570 K. However, the turnover frequencies for both CO hydrogenation and methanation showed a precipitous drop with ...

Fischer-tropsch catalysts with high activity and selectivity for olefins were produced using mordenite type SiO2/Al2O3= 12, 20, 28, 62 zeolite supported iron carbonyl compounds and were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The adsorptionof volatile Fe(CO)5 on the support surface was carried out under vacuum at room temperature. Reduction les...

A review was conducted on the use of thermochemical biomass gasification for producing biofuels, biopower and chemicals. The upstream processes for gasification are similar to other biomass processing methods. However, challenges remain in the gasification and downstream processing for viable commercial applications. The challenges with gasification are to understand the effects of operating co...

Most chemical reactions occur over multiple steps whose identity is elucidated by experiment, yielding a reaction mechanism. Knowledge of cognitive science suggests that mechanism elucidation can be viewed as a knowledge-guided search within a combinatorial space. The MECHEM computer program searches this space comprehensively for the simplest plausible mechanisms. We use MECHEM to find mechani...

The distribution of organic species is explored using data acquired from a new dual quadrupole system that routinely measures eighteen gaseous species. The process of condensation and its affect on gas distribution is modeled, and a new discrimination diagram based on total gaseous species and the CO2/N2 ratio is introduced. We conclude that organic species concentrations indicate source; that ...

Dispersed gas-liquid-solid flows are frequently encountered in a variety of industrial processes involving a.o. coating, granulation, drying and synthesis of fuels (Fischer Tropsch) and base chemicals. The dynamics of these flows is dictated by the motion of the individual phases and the complex mutual interactions and as a direct consequence thereof CFD-based modelling of these systems has pro...

Seven phenolic acids and many nonphenolic organic acids, including large amounts of meta-hydroxy (3-hydroxy) benzoic acid and 3-hydroxy-1,5-benzene-dicarboxylic acid, were obtained from the organic polymer of the Murchison C2 chondrite upon oxidation with alkaline cupric oxide. The phenolic acids apparently were derived from phenolic ethers in the polymer, which in turn probably were formed fro...

The metallic Co catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch reaction is prepared by reduction of Co salts impregnating microporous silica. The average size of the metallic Co clusters is determined from the average number of neighbours deduced from Co K-edge EXAFS of catalyst samples. A model EXAFS signal constructed from the scattering paths of Co metal fcc lattice with lengths up to 5 A is calibrated on...

However, aviation biofuels are not just a lobbying gimmick. Oil and biotech companies, airlines and aircraft manufacturers, government agencies (particularly in the US) and venture capitalists are investing large sums into research and development of biofuels for aircraft. Recent test flights have shown that biofuel use in aviation is technically possible. Two types of aviation biofuels are in ...