RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

Chemical and Process Technology (CPT) 13 Electrolysis is becoming more important as a process to utilize surplus electrical energy to such an extent that conventional processes are being completely redesigned and optimized. Smart designs for PEMelectrolyzers can, for instance, rely on intensified concepts such as simultaneous reaction and separation or improved gas-liquid hydrodynamics. In the field of machine learning, we recognize that we can analyze complex reaction pathways that would otherwise take months or years to unravel and program as a model; this can greatly increase the complexity of our reactor models and optimization routines. Moreover, we have already developed deep-learning techniques to better understand the behavior of multiphase flows (gas bubble detection through convolutional neural networks). Additive manufacturing opens up virtually unlimited possibilities to optimize heat exchange with structured packings and achieve optimal temperature control and heat management with maximum gas-solid contacting and reduced pressure drops. What seemed impossible before is now becoming a reality. For example, an ‘inversed multi-tubular reactor’ is now within reach, whereby many small cooling channels can be integrated inside a structured catalytic packing. Thus, additive manufacturing requires a completely different mindset in chemical reactor design, a kind of out-of-the-box thinking allowing one to go beyond cylindrical or spherical geometries in conventional chemical engineeringdesigns. Research on optimal catalyst/sorbent bed structures via 3D printing for improved heat transfer is already ongoing (ZEOCAT3D) and will be further extended by investigating the possibilities for integrated heating, particularly inductive heating (such as in the recently approved THOR project) and electrical heating (the e-missi0n project on electrified crackers). Five key publications from the evaluation period J.A. Medrano, F. Gallucci, F. Boccia, N. Alfano and M. van Sint Annaland (2017). Determination of the bubble-to- emulsion phase mass transfer coefficient in gas-solid fluidized beds using a non-invasive infra-red technique, Chem.Eng.J. 325, 404-414. F. Sabatino, A. Grimm, F. Gallucci, M. van Sint Annaland, G.J. Kramer and M. Gazzani (2021). Comparative energy and costs assessment and optimization for different direct air capture technologies. Joule 5, 2047-2076. K.T. Coenen, F. Gallucci, B. Mezari, E.J.M. Hensen and van Sint Annaland, M. (2018). An in-situ IR study on the adsorption of CO 2 and H 2 O on hydrotalcites, Journal of CO 2 Utilization 24, 228-239. I. Roghair, M. van Sint Annaland, J.A.M. Kuipers (2016) An improved Front-Tracking technique for the simulation of mass transfer in dense bubbly flows. Chem.Eng.Sc. 152, 351-369. A. Helmi, R.W.J. Voncken, A.J. Raijmakers, I. Roghair, F. Gallucci & M. van Sint Annaland (2018) On concentration polarization in fluidized bed membrane reactors. Chem.Eng.J. 332, 464-478.