Abstract:

An increasing global energy demand coupled with the societal need for sustainable fuels has led to a renaissance in catalyst development and fuel refining. Hydrogen and soybean oil represent two potential fuels of the future. Hydrogen, the simplest of all molecules, is under investigation by many groups as an energy carrier for use in specialized engines and PEM fuel cells due to its clean combustion and higher heating value of 141 MJ/kg. A challenge to hydrogen’s development as a fuel lies with its energy density. Gaseous hydrogen (1 bar, 20 °C) has an energy density of 0.01 MJ/L while this value increases to 8 MJ/L (1 bar, -253 °C) in the liquid form which is more competitive with gasoline (34 MJ/L). An additional challenge is that normal hydrogen (1 bar, 20 °C) consists of a 75/25 ratio of orthohydrogen to parahydrogen spin isomers. Once cooled to liquefaction temperatures, the parahydrogen remains stable while the orthohydrogen continues to boil and release heat energy while it spontaneously converts into the more stable para form. Surprisingly, a catalyst can be used to expedite the conversion or ortho-into-para thereby reducing the time for conversion. This fascinating phenomenon will be the subject of the first half of this seminar. Soybean and tallow oils are emerging as a supplement or replacement for critical fuel streams such as diesel and jet fuel. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) based on these oils has demonstrated good performance relative to fossil based fuels for powering a variety of airplanes. Yet, such crude feedstocks have multiple impurities such as oxygen, phosphorous, and nitrogen that require removal prior to sale. Catalysts are used to remove these impurities while adding the necessary amount of hydrogen to produce ASTM quality fuels. These catalysts and the technology behind their implementation will be discussed in the second half of the lecture. A primary goal of this presentation is to educate the community on the potential value of these fuels and how industry is approaching their implementation at various stages of technology readiness. This presentation will also showcase how catalysts are enablers for these technologies in getting them to market.

Bio: 

Michael A. Reynolds is the Senior Principal Scientist for Shell Catalysts and Technologies in Houston, Texas where he leads programs for catalyst development in conventional refining and the energy transition. His current research interests include renewable hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and applications of crystal engineering to new materials. Prior to his current role, Dr. Reynolds spent ten years in Shell’s Shales business as Production Chemistry Lead where he supported oilfield operations in Argentina, Canada, and the Permian Basin of west Texas for hydraulic fracturing and water treatment. Since 2012, he has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Rice University in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. In this capacity he serves on student doctoral committees and provides lectures on special topics. He is a graduate of Michigan State University (B.S. Chemistry), Iowa State University (Ph.D.), and was a post-doctoral associate at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. He enjoys tennis, traveling, and spending time on the Great Lakes with family.