Date of Award
2024-12-01
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Advisor(s)
Evgeny Shafirovich
Abstract
The demand for hydrogen is growing which makes the development of clean and efficient H2 synthesis technologies imperative. Microwave-assisted, thermocatalytic, dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons has demonstrated the ability to generate H2 with high yield/selectivity and leaving behind valuable solid carbon byproducts. However, this microwave-assisted process is unoptimized which prevents it from being utilized in industry. A critical component of optimization is the development of a catalyst that is catalytically active, a good microwave absorber, and can be regenerated for repeated dehydrogenation cycles. Previous studies that focused on plastic waste decomposition have used iron-based alumina (FeAlxOy) made via solution combustion synthesis (SCS). Unexplored is the effect of tuning SCS parameters on dehydrogenation performance, the use of these materials in hydrocarbon decomposition to H2, and the regeneration of these catalysts. This dissertation has three objectives: (1) characterize the relationship between SCS parameters and the material properties of FeAlxOy, (2) determine how differences in the material properties of FeAlxOy influence their performance as catalysts during microwave-assisted pyrolysis of fossil fuels, and (3) investigate the Boudouard reaction to regenerate the FeAlxOy post-dehydrogenation.
Language
en
Provenance
Recieved from ProQuest
Copyright Date
2024-12-01
File Size
210 p.
File Format
application/pdf
Rights Holder
Zachary Aidan Chanoi
Recommended Citation
Chanoi, Zachary Aidan, "Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Hydrocarbons Using Iron-Based Alumina Catalysts Obtained via Solution Combustion Synthesis" (2024). Open Access Theses & Dissertations. 4230.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/open_etd/4230