The Catalytic Conversion - Report Example

Designing a Nano-cat for Catalytic Conversion and Environmental Remediation Student Name/Number: Date: Introduction With rapid growth in the world population and increased urbanization, the demand for energy has always been on the rise. Fossil fuels are currently the world’s largest source of energy. The pollution resulting from these fuels has caused serious environmental problems, such as pollution and global warming – which are the world’s biggest environmental challenge today. These concerns have the development and utilization of alternative sources of energy. The main alternatives to fossil fuels are solar, water, biomass and wind energy. This is because of the environmentally friendly nature of these alternative sources of energy. Another way has been to create catalysts that can reduce air pollution resulting from burning of fossil fuels, specifically, the exhaust gases released by automobiles (Deepak & Thakur, 2016). The oxidation process in which gasoline is combusted into CO2 and water inside the engine is not very efficient, leading to production of various pollutants. There has been a lot of efforts through laws and regulations to reduce the problem of emission of pollutants from automobiles, but all has been futile. Automobile engines emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (Faiz, et al., 1996). The most toxic of these pollutants is considered to be carbon monoxide. We can effectively reduce the amount of carbon monoxide emitted by designing a catalytic converter using nano-particles. A great attention has been placed on the actual societal benefits of nano-science and nano-technology for renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, pollution prevention and environmental remediation. In particular, better methods of controlling pollution are emerging as nano-particles continue to push the capabilities of nano-technology (N.Kanthavelkumaran, et al., 2013). Using nano-technology, it is possible to manipulate the chemical and physical properties of materials structured on the nano-size scale, which can be assembled to produce nano-devices such as nano-catalytic converters that possess more improved properties (Diallo, et al., 2014). According to Sharma (2013), nanoparticles of materials such as graphitic carbon, alumina and transition metals such as palladium, silver, rhodium, platinum and iron have been found to be effective in reducing toxic gas emissions from automobiles. However, these materials are unavailable in abundance and expensive (Mukesh & N.K., 2012). To address this problem, carbon can be integrated in the design of sustainable carbocatalytic converters that are cost effective and efficient. Carbon can be sourced from date palm waste biomass. Wastes from date palm trees are usually burned, disposed in landfills or use as animal feeds. Plant biomass produces very small amounts of sulphur and does not contribute to increase in the levels of atmospheric CO2. In the current work, we intend to design a carbocatalytic converter that utilizes copper nanoparticles synthesized using a green method and carbon from date palm biomass to improve the quality of exhaust emissions from motor vehicles. The study will add light on the reduction of pollutants emitted from automobiles by using nano-particle coating. Aims and Objectives The primary objective of this research proposal will be to design an environmentally sustainable carbo-catalytic converter that can be used in the catalytic conversion of toxic gases emitted from automobile exhaust into less harmful substances. In terms of economic sustainability, the project intends to use relatively cheaper materials that are available in abundance in the design of the carbo-catalyst, instead of more expensive materials such as platinum, palladium, rhodium and silver. The green synthesis of copper nano-particles and carbon from date palm biomass provides a simple and economical route for synthesis of copper nano-particles with no hazardous and toxic effect. Research Question Fossil energy resources produce a lot of gases that contribute to environmental pollution. The materials used in the design of current catalytic converters are very expensive and may not be available in abundance. Conversion of automobile emissions to environmentally friendly substances require the design of a cost-effective nano-catalytic converter to improve the quality of the by-products and reduce environmental pollution. Design of a carbo-catalyst with high surface area, more delayed time and increased catalytic activity will solve problems associated with heterogeneous catalysts such as time consumption, fast deactivation, transfer resistance and inefficiency. To address these problems, this research attempts to develop a carbo-catalytic converter that integrates carbon structures and copper nano-particles to be used in the conversion of toxic emissions from automobiles into environmentally friendly substances. Expected Results It is expected that the carbo-catalytic converter that will be developed will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of converting exhaust gases from automobiles into environmentally friendly substances. The overall expectation is to reduce environmental pollution caused by emissions from motor vehicles by implementing the carbo-catalytic converter in the manufacture of automobiles. Significance and Impact of the Research One of the greatest challenges today is the use of nano-science nano-technology to develop sustainable environmental solutions that can address problems caused by the use of fossil fuels and other sources of environmental pollution. Burning of fossil fuels play a significant role in global warming and climate change. Nano-catalysts have presented a platform for producing nano-catalytic converters that can lower the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles. Literature Review Automobile Emissions and Environmental Pollution Gases emitted from tail-pipe exhausts of automobiles have largely contributed to changes in the global climate system, environmental imbalance and greenhouse effect. Automobile and internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels emit gases such as CO, hydrocarbons and NOx (Durairajan, et al., 2012). These primary emissions undergo a series of chemical reactions when emitted into the atmosphere and cause environmental hazard which results in change in climate patterns (Zhao, 2009). Emission of pollutants is the cause of acid rain, odors, smog, respiratory problems and global warming. When CO is inhaled, it hinders oxygen supply in the blood circulation system to the body tissues. Automobiles which use fossil fuels have become a great concern in today’s agenda to reduce emission of pollutants into our atmosphere. Nano-sized particles have proved to be very helpful in addressing this problem due to their nano-size. Utilization of nano-particles in the design of nano-catalytic converters Physical and chemical properties of materials change as they approach the nano-scale and as more atoms become available on the surface of the material. These change of physical and chemical properties offer great possibilities for many applications. These properties are partly attributed to aspects of the material surface dominating the properties exhibited in the bulk material. Thus, nano-materials smash their bulk counterparts because of their excellent physical, chemical and mechanical properties, with high surface area to volume ratio (Chaturvedi, et al., 2012). The high surface area to volume ratio lowers the incipient melting temperature of the nano-size particles. There are two methods used for controlling pollution from the tail pipe of automobiles: pre-pollution and post pollution methods (Deepak & Thakur, 2015). It is cost-effective and easy to implement the post-pollution method, than pre-pollution methods. Nano-particle coated catalytic converters are used in the post pollution control method (Deepak & Thakur, 2016). Amongst main metals used in nano-science research, such as silver, palladium, gold, rhodium and platinum, Copper and other copper-based compounds are of great significance. Metallic copper has excellent conductivity, it is biocompatible and also an excellent surface enhanced Raman scattering activity (Tao, 2014). Biomass as a source of carbon The rapid development of the global economy has strained the fossil fuels, posing to a threat of depletion of this resource. Today, biomass is gaining more attention in producing energy to meet the world’s energy demands. This is because of its environmentally friendly nature and its availability. It is estimated that by 2050, biomass will meet up to 50% of the global energy demands. Burning of fossil fuels emits an estimated 27 billion tons of CO2 annually (Akia, et al., 2014). A sustainable future for renewable sources of energy requires materials based on a renewable resource, rather than materials that deplete steadily. Porous carbon materials, such as date palm feedstock are raising more interest due to their mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability. These natural materials are available in abundance and may have no economic use if not utilized (Lee, et al., 2014). Date palm can be replaced within a relatively shorter time, and therefore, it is considered as a renewable resource. Date palm biomass is mainly composed of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose which can be converted into functional carbon. Carbo-catalysis Carbo-catalysis involves the conversion of basic carbons into functional carbon that can be cobined with copper nano-particles to make nano-technology-based catalyst with multiple reaction sites. In heterogeneous catalysis, carbon materials act as a catalyst support by facilitating the anchoring of the active phase (Philippot & Serp, 2013). Carbon blacks and activated carbon are the most widely applied carbon supports. There is also a rising interest in the application of graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanoparticles and carbon nano-fibers as supports for catalysis. The nano-structure of these materials can provide a very unique combination of properties that can improve their catalytic activity (Dreyer & Bielawski, 2011). The catalytic activity of solid carbon, like many nan-materials, depend on their surface properties which are to a large extend related to the properties of the bulk material. Methodology Synthesis of Cu-nanoparticles Copper nanoparticles will be synthesized L-ascorbic acid (vitamin c). Materials To synthesize Cu-nanoparticles, we require copper (II) chloride (CuCl2.2H2O), L-Ascorbic Acid and de-ionized water. Ascorbic acid was applied as a capping as well as a reducing agent. Alternatively, we can use copper sulphate (CuSO4) in the place of CuCl2. Ascorbic acid is non-toxic and widely available. Cupric chloride will be used as a precursor in this method (Thakur & Saikhedkar, 2012). Procedure Stable nanoparticles of copper will be synthesized using a green method. Using this route, copper (II) chloride will be prepared by dissolving the salt in de-ionized water. In as separate vessel, solutions of ascorbic acid will also be prepared in de-ionized water. The vessel of containing CuCl2.2H2O will be heated in a water bath shaker at 90oC before adding the solution of L-Ascorbic solution drop by drop. Heating is continued while drops of L-Ascorbic acid are added, until there is color change from colorless to yellow, orange, brown and ultimately a dark brown-black (Thakur & Saikhedkar, 2013). Characterization The concentration of Cu-nanoparticles obtained will be evaluated and characterized using Fourier-Transform infrared spectrophotometer, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine the morphology and size of the nano-particles (Thakur & Saikhedkar, 2012). The prepared nano-particles will be deposited on the microscopic channels of the catalytic converter. Production of nanoporous carbon Nanoporous carbon will be prepared according to the method described by Zhang, et al., (2014) called the called ionothermal carbonization (ITC) method. In this method, carbon is obtained from cellulose, which is the most abundant compound in date palm biomass. Cellulose obtained from date palm biomass is dissolved in a solution of ionized liquid with ionized water as an additive. The mixture obtained is then loaded on the PTFE-line autoclave and treated at 200oC for a duration of 24 hours. The resulting mixture is then thoroughly washed using ethanol to obtain a black solid after filtration. The final carbon solid will be by freeze-drying the black solid. Design of the catalytic Converter The catalytic converter is the device that will convert the toxic gases from the automobile combustion engine. A catalyst works by altering the rate of reaction, so that the chemical reaction is faster (Poncelet, et al., 2011). The nanoporous carbon will act as a support for the process of catalytic conversion, while the Cu nanoparticles will be at the site of catalytic process (Polshettiwar & Asefa, 2013). The idea will be to create a structure that provides maximum surface area of the exhaust stream and the catalyst. The catalytic converter will be constructed into a steel container with a honeycomb structure in the interior on which the Cu-nanocatalyst and porous carbon support will be lined. This is the design of a typical converter – with a 3-way channel for converting the exhaust gases. The base material is made of alumina – a material that can withstand high temperatures. The catalytic converter uses the processes of oxidation and reduction to convert the gases into harmful substances. These reactions as follows: Oxidation of CO to CO2 2CO + O2 2CO2 Oxidation of unburnt HC to CO2 and water CxH2x + 2xO2 xCO2 + 2xH2O Reduction of NOx to oxygen and nitrogen 2NOx xO2 + N2 These chemical reactions will ensure that the concentration of exhaust gases emitted from an automobile combustion engine is reduced by converting them into harmless gases. References Read More

The study will add light on the reduction of pollutants emitted from automobiles by using nano-particle coating. Aims and Objectives The primary objective of this research proposal will be to design an environmentally sustainable carbo-catalytic converter that can be used in the catalytic conversion of toxic gases emitted from automobile exhaust into less harmful substances. In terms of economic sustainability, the project intends to use relatively cheaper materials that are available in abundance in the design of the carbo-catalyst, instead of more expensive materials such as platinum, palladium, rhodium and silver.

The green synthesis of copper nano-particles and carbon from date palm biomass provides a simple and economical route for synthesis of copper nano-particles with no hazardous and toxic effect. Research Question Fossil energy resources produce a lot of gases that contribute to environmental pollution. The materials used in the design of current catalytic converters are very expensive and may not be available in abundance. Conversion of automobile emissions to environmentally friendly substances require the design of a cost-effective nano-catalytic converter to improve the quality of the by-products and reduce environmental pollution.

Design of a carbo-catalyst with high surface area, more delayed time and increased catalytic activity will solve problems associated with heterogeneous catalysts such as time consumption, fast deactivation, transfer resistance and inefficiency. To address these problems, this research attempts to develop a carbo-catalytic converter that integrates carbon structures and copper nano-particles to be used in the conversion of toxic emissions from automobiles into environmentally friendly substances.

Expected Results It is expected that the carbo-catalytic converter that will be developed will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of converting exhaust gases from automobiles into environmentally friendly substances. The overall expectation is to reduce environmental pollution caused by emissions from motor vehicles by implementing the carbo-catalytic converter in the manufacture of automobiles. Significance and Impact of the Research One of the greatest challenges today is the use of nano-science nano-technology to develop sustainable environmental solutions that can address problems caused by the use of fossil fuels and other sources of environmental pollution.

Burning of fossil fuels play a significant role in global warming and climate change. Nano-catalysts have presented a platform for producing nano-catalytic converters that can lower the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles. Literature Review Automobile Emissions and Environmental Pollution Gases emitted from tail-pipe exhausts of automobiles have largely contributed to changes in the global climate system, environmental imbalance and greenhouse effect. Automobile and internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels emit gases such as CO, hydrocarbons and NOx (Durairajan, et al., 2012). These primary emissions undergo a series of chemical reactions when emitted into the atmosphere and cause environmental hazard which results in change in climate patterns (Zhao, 2009).

Emission of pollutants is the cause of acid rain, odors, smog, respiratory problems and global warming. When CO is inhaled, it hinders oxygen supply in the blood circulation system to the body tissues. Automobiles which use fossil fuels have become a great concern in today’s agenda to reduce emission of pollutants into our atmosphere. Nano-sized particles have proved to be very helpful in addressing this problem due to their nano-size. Utilization of nano-particles in the design of nano-catalytic converters Physical and chemical properties of materials change as they approach the nano-scale and as more atoms become available on the surface of the material.

These change of physical and chemical properties offer great possibilities for many applications.

Read More