Energy Intensified Reaction Engineering

Contact Information

Address

Het Kranenveld 14
Helix
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands
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Postal address

Postbus 513
Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
5600 MB Eindhoven
Netherlands
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Phone

+31 (0)40 2472850

Email

[email protected]

Organisational Structure

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Research
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  Sustainable Process Technology

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Introduction

We design compact catalytic reactors that use electricity to turn resources into valuable products. Our research combines induction heating, non-thermal plasma and continuous processing to advance plastic chemical recycling and methane valorization.

Profile

Our ambition is to make chemical manufacturing more efficient, flexible and circular by rethinking how energy reaches a reaction. We bring catalyst design, reactor engineering and energy delivery together, using induction heating, non-thermal plasma and structured flow reactors to control reactions across multiple scales. We also investigate when transient operation via fast modulation of a single or multiple parameters can outperform steady operation. Our research connects fundamental understanding with tangible technologies. Examples include structured hydrogenation reactors for fine chemicals synthesis, gliding arc plasma reactors that split methane into acetylene, hydrogen and solid carbon, and inductively heated reactors that convert plastic waste into hydrocarbon feedstocks. We combine advanced reactor design with kinetic modelling, laser diagnostics and precise process control. Working with industrial partners, we translate this understanding into scalable processes and compact systems that can bring production closer to where resources are available and products are needed. <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW246374655 BCX0"> Using kinetic modelling and nonlinear frequency analysis, we identify when periodic changes in concentration, temperature or flow rate can outperform steady operation. We investigate how the modulation frequency and amplitude improve the product yield. In our <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9112046">modelling study of formic acid decomposition</a>, simultaneous modulation of reactant concentration and flow rate increased conversion from 80% to 96%. Achieving the same conversion under the steady state conditions requires twice the amount of catalyst. </div> <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW246374655 BCX0"> We contribute to Circularity via plastic waste conversion and carbon dioxide utilization, aiming to retain valuable resources in productive use. </div>

UN SDGs

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This organisational unit’s work contributes to the following SDG(s):