Transport phenomena and reaction
engineering:
basic research and practical applications
Renzo Di Felice1,2
1School
of Engineering
Nazarbayev University, ASTANA (Kazakhstan)
and
2Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica ed Ambientale
Università degli Studi di Genova, GENOVA (Italy)
Università degli Studi di Genova
• Fluid dynamic of multiphase
systems
• Process engineering
• Membrane applications
• CO2 capture and re-use
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FLUID DYNAMIC OF
MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS
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THE “INVERSION” PROBLEM
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Basic equations describing multiphase systems
are known but they need proper closure
relationships as far as:
•
•
•
•
•
Interaction force in solid-fluid systems
Solid possessing different shape, size and density
Confining wall effects
More than one fluid present
Effect of changing pressure and temperature
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Results currently used in
Geology and Petroleum Engineering
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CFD applications in multiphase flow
Just because the results are
in colour, it doesn’t mean
they are right (Stitt et al.,
Johnson and Matthew)
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Process engineering
(in collaboration with the Mechanical Engineering Dept.)
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External Fuel Processing for RRFCS
• Problems statement (Sulphur poisoning, Higher hydrocarbon thermal
cracking, Cell leakage – Safe gas, Anodic loop steam priming , Off-gas
burner ignition during start-up)
• Process selection: literature research, thermodynamic analysis and when
needed lab scale tests to validate or reject the process:
Desulphurization: Passive adsorption, HDS, Selective Catalytic Partial Oxidation
Pre-reforming: Steam Reforming, Dry reforming, Hydrogenolysis
External reforming: Catalytic Partial Oxidation
Inerting Combustor: Staged-fuel, Staged-air, Nitrogen Dilution
• Component volume estimation and EFP layout
• Interface between GM and EFP (GM fuel requirement state point diagram,
EFP state point diagram, safe gas to natural gas transition modelling)
•Modelling support (thermodynamics, thermal analysis and reactors control
strategy) to SOFCo for 250kWe EFP concept and design
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Fuel processing and clean up for fuel cell applications
Gas Cleaning
Heat Exch.
FELICTAS (EU funded)
Fuel: Naval distillate, LPG
Generator: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Power: 30 kWel
Reformer
Air
LARGE SOFC (EU funded)
Fuel: Biogas
Generator: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Power: 250 kWel / stack
Biogas reservoir
DC/AC
SOFC
Biogas(CO+H2)
Biogas clean up
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The use of membrane in unit
operations
(in collaboration with the Industrial Chemistry Dept.)
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Gas separation by membrane
very promising, but a lot of work must be done
to design the correct membrane
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CO2 removal from a gas stream
and its re-use
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State of the art for CO2 capture
• Energy intensive
• What to do with the CO2 captured?
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CO2 trasf (mol/m2 s)
Experimental CO2 absorption rate
0,01
0,008
0,006
0,004
0,002
0
MDEA 30%
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MDEA 30% + PZ 5%
MDEA 30% + PZ
10%
MEA 20%
Energy demand for solvent regeneration
(from our simulation work using existing plant
operating parameters)
Process
Energy demand
(MJ/kg CO2)
MEA
4.05
MDEA
3.45
MDEA+PZ
3.20
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CO2 re-use
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
Building block for chemicals
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CONCLUSIONS
(based on personal experience)
• Industry and academia have different
goals
• Nevertheless there are plenty of
common grounds
• Academia have to understand industry
needs
• Industries have to trust academia
Università degli Studi di Genova
Università degli Studi di Genova
Transport phenomena and reaction
engineering:
basic research and practical applications
Renzo Di Felice1,2
1School
of Engineering
Nazarbayev University, ASTANA (Kazakhstan)
and
2Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile, Chimica ed Ambientale
Università degli Studi di Genova, GENOVA (Italy)
Università degli Studi di Genova