PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT
ADVANCED METHOD FOR RENEWABLE ETHANOL BY
DIRECT SYNTHESIS FROM SYNGAS FOR RENEWABLE
FUEL APPLICATIONS
Submitted To
The 2012 Summer NSF CEAS REU Program
Part of
NSF Type 1 STEP Grant
Sponsored By
The National Science Foundation
Grant ID No.: DUE-0756921
College of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Prepared By
Julia Fisher, Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University
Nathalia Backeljauw, Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
Report Reviewed By:
_____________________________________________________________________
Dr. Panagiotis (Peter) Smirniotis
REU Faculty Mentor
Professor and Chairman
School of Energy, Environmental, Biological and Medical Engineering
University of Cincinnati
June 29, 2012
Direct Synthesis of Ethanol from Syngas for Renewable Fuel Applications
Julia Fisher, Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University
Nathalia Backeljauw, Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to efficiently synthesis ethanol from syngas, which is
carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. The overall goal that this project is trying to
achieve is to use ethanol as a renewable energy source. To capture as much ethanol
as possible, a Rhodium-based catalyst is being designed to convert as much of the
reactants as possible. This process begins with the calibration of the equipment,
followed by the synthesis of the catalysts. Finally, the reaction is run and the data is
analyzed.
Key Words
1. Ethanol (as fuel)
2. Fuel
3. Energy consumption
4. Synthesis
Introduction
Corn is currently one of the largest sources of ethanol, especially in the United
States. Corn is also a significant source of food, so this will become a problem as
ethanol production and population increase. Therefore, it is important that we find
another source for ethanol so this problem can be avoided.
The reason that a Rh-based catalyst is being used is because it is known to
selectively produce things such as ethanol from syngas (Spivey, et al. 2007). The
specific Rhodium catalyst to be used in this project originated from the article “Synthesis
of ethanol from syngas over Rh/Ce1-xZrxO2 catalysts.” The reason that a
Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst is being used is because it produces the highest CO conversion
and ethanol selectivity in comparison to other Rh/Ce1-xZrxO2 catalysts (Liu, et al. 2011).
The main goal of this project is to engineer more efficient and effective catalysts
that will convert as much carbon monoxide as possible while maximizing the ethanol
selectivity. To achieve this goal, it is essential to become familiar with the project by
reading literature and working in the lab. Certain preparations must be made such as
calibration of the equipment and synthesis of the catalyst. Following these preparations
would be the actual running of the reaction and the collection and interpretation of the
data.
References
Spivey, J. J., Egbebi, A. (2007). “Heterogeneous catalytic synthesis of ethanol from
biomass-derived syngas,” Chemical Society Reviews, ASCE, Vol. 36, No. 9, pp. 15141528.
Liu, Y., Murata, K., Inaba, M., Takahara, I., Okabe, K. (2011). “Synthesis of ethanol
from syngas over Rh/Ce1-xZrxO2 catalysts,” Catalysis Today, ASCE, Vol. 164, No. 1, pp.
308-314.