Catalytic conversion of biogas into chemical compounds

• Grant number: 24/04540-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Elisabete Moreira Assaf
• Grantee: Gabriel de Freitas Lopes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/10615-1 - Consolidation of the biorefinery concept applied to the biological treatment of wastewater and solid wastes, AP.TEM

Abstract

Biogas produced from anaerobic decomposition is a significant source of carbon dioxide and methane, which are greenhouse gases. Therefore, there is a need to reduce atmospheric concentrations of both chemical compounds. In this way, biogas can serve as a raw material for the generation of fuels and other chemicals products, which can also contribute to reducing its emissions. Different routes for transforming CO2 and CH4 into chemical products of commercial interest have been evaluated. Among them is the transformation of CH4 and CO2 into synthesis gas, hydrogen and acetic acid. Acetic acid is used in the production of acetates, anhydrides, acrylates, organic acids, in food processing, among other applications. It can be produced by carbonylation of methanol, however, in this process, carbon monoxide and methanol are obtained from natural gas and synthesis gas, respectively. Thus, the production of acetic acid through the reaction between CH4 and CO2 is an alternative of great interest, as it reduces several synthesis steps. This is an atomic efficient route, but with thermodynamic limitations that must be overcome by using an efficient catalytic system to activate the two molecules. Many types of active sites are suggested for the activation of CH4 and CO2. Despite significant advances in this area, the simultaneous conversion of CH4 and CO2 and the stability of the catalyst under reaction conditions are still challenges to be overcome. Therefore, it is essential to advance in knowledge of the active sites that participate in each reaction step. In this sense, in situ characterizations of the active sites could contribute to clarifying the relationship between the properties of the catalysts and the reaction mechanism. The objective of this project is to investigate the catalytic conversion of biogas into acetic acid or other chemical compounds and advance the understanding of the impact of the physical and chemical properties of catalysts and operational variables on catalytic performance. (AU)