Masters Theses

Abstract

"The non-catalytic reformation of glycerin using supercritical water was conducted in a 400-mL tubular reactor constructed of Haynesʼ Alloy 230. The evaluated parameters for this thesis include water-to-glycerin molar ratios ranging from 3 to 24 and reactor temperatures ranging from 500⁰C to 700⁰C. In addition, experiments were performed using the Haynes' Alloy 230 reactor both without a liner and with a Nickel 201 liner. Space time was maintained at approximately 100 seconds and the reactor pressure was kept constant at 24.1 MPa. The resultant effect on product gas composition and carbon gasification was determined. The product gases consisted of a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and ethane. It was found that the greatest gas yields of hydrogen were produced at higher temperatures using more dilute glycerin solutions. Increasing the water-to-glycerin ratio and increasing temperature, up to approximately 13.5 and 600⁰C respectively, increased the extent of carbon gasification. Once these values were reached, 100% carbon gasification percentages were achieved. The reactor liner made of nickel was found to have a positive catalytic effect on both the reformation and water gas shift reaction. The experiments conducted with the liners produced higher carbon dioxide and hydrogen yields. The greatest hydrogen and carbon dioxide yields were obtained at 24 water-to-glycerin ratio and a temperature of700⁰C using a reactor liner. In this thesis, the effects of water-to-glycerin ratios, temperature, and a reactor liner upon supercritical water reformation of glycerin are revealed based on the experimental data"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Ludlow, Douglas K.
Lee, Sunggyu

Committee Member(s)

Sheffield, John W.

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Chemical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2011

Pagination

x, 87 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2011 Michael Scott Stever, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Chemical reactors
Glycerin
Supercritical fluid extraction

Thesis Number

T 9865

Print OCLC #

785236311

Electronic OCLC #

741642213

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