Project Info
Fluidized Bed Catalytic Reactor/Receiver for Converting Solar Energy to Fuels and Chemicals
Stephanie Kwon
kwon@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
This work aims to design and demonstrate a novel fluidized bed catalytic reactor/receiver system to drive endothermic steam and dry reforming processes for syn-gas (CO/H2) production using concentrated solar energies. This work will provide strategies for catalysts and operating conditions for the efficient utilization of solar energy to drive endothermic chemical processes. In doing so, the project will greatly improve the viability of solar reactor/receivers through the development of narrow-channel, fluidized bed solar reformers. The successful demonstration of the proposed work will directly impact sustainable fuel and chemical production by exploring the efficient conversion of solar energy and biogas into fuels and chemicals, which can become a pathway for long-term solar energy storage. Implementing solar reactors will also significantly reduce CO2 emissions from current reforming processes by eliminating requirements for fuel combustion to provide heat for endothermic reactions. In doing so, the results of this work will ultimately catalyze decarbonization across industrial sectors by providing scalable H2 production pathways with low carbon emissions.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Make solar energy economical.
Primary Contacts:
kwon@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Students with enthusiasm in working on interdisciplinary teams and sustainable energy.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4-5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Students will learn how to build and operate reactors, design catalytic materials, and test them. In doing so, students will learn core chemical engineering concepts, including reactor design, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
MENTORING PLAN
The students will meet with the mentor (myself and/or Prof. Jackson) every week to discuss the results and future directions. The students will also work closely with the postdoctoral researcher and graduate students in the lab.
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior
Senior