Catalysis for Fuels and Chemicals

Krijn P. de Jong, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Reliable and affordably energy is a cornerstone of modern societies but concerns about emissions of CO₂ and related climate change are growing. The recent Climate Conference in Paris has led to broad agreement to restrict world temperature increase to 2 °C which translates into a maximum allowable ’carbon budget’ of emissions of CO₂ for the coming decades [1]. For transportation fuels we have estimated that for the coming 20 years the required reduction of CO₂ emissions will be contributed for 75% by more efficient usage of fossil energy and for 25% by renewable energy (wind and solar combined with electrification) [2].

Catalysis is at the heart of new and improved processes to deliver fuels and chemicals with a lower carbon footprint. In this talk we address the growing role of processes based on synthesis gas, a mixture of CO and+ H₂. Synthesis gas can be produced from any carbon-containing feedstock, even from CO₂ if renewable hydrogen is available. We focus on results for conversion of synthesis gas to ultra-clean diesel [3] and to chemicals such as lower olefins [4]. Hydrocracking of n-alkanes using bi-functional Pt/alumina/zeolite-Y catalyst will also be presented [5]. In all these examples effects at the nanoscale play a key role to arrive at improved catalyst activity, selectivity and stability. 

References
1. S.I. Seneviratne, M.G. Donat, A.J. Pitman, R. Knutti and R.L. Wilby, Nature 529 (2016) 477-483.
2. K.P. de Jong et al., Nature Energy 1 (2016) 1-8.
3. P. Munnik, P.E. de Jongh, K.P. de Jong, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136 (2014), 7333-7340.
4. H.M. Torres Galvis, J.H. Bitter, C.B. Khare, M. Ruitenbeek, A. Iulian Dugulan and K.P. de Jong, Science 335 (2012) 835-838.
5. J. Zečević, G. Vanbutsele, K.P. de Jong, J.A. Martens, Nature 528 (2015), 245-254.