Influence of catalytic mass content in catalytic combustion of isopropyl alcohol using aerosol nanocatalysis technology

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of catalytic combustion of isopropyl alcohol according to the principles of aerosol nanocatalysis technology on a vibrating fluidized bed reactor. using a metal oxide catalyst in the form of Fe2O3 The prospects of using isopropyl alcohol as feedstock for catalytic heat generators were considered. The availability of isopropyl alcohol and possible methods for its production were also analyzed. A comparative analysis of the efficiency of aerosol nanocatalysis and heterogeneous catalysis in relation to the processes of deep oxidation of alcohols is carried out. The methodology of experimental studies of oxidation processes using isopropanol as feedstock and using an aerosol nanocatalysis reactor with a vibration layer of the catalytic system was worked out. Catalytic reactions under aerosol nanocatalysis technology eliminate the need for catalytic supports, while implementing in situ a continuous mechanical and chemical activation (MCA) of the catalyst surface by the mobile inert material. The effect of catalytic mass concentration in the reactor was analyzed to ascertain the best mass content of catalyst needed to achieve complete high % volume content of CO2 in the combustion gases product. This study revealed that under this technology, complete combustion can be achieved at a catalytic mass content of 0.0002 grams and 0.0004 grams, as results of the experiment showed that there needs to be a full saturation of the inert material with the catalytic component, for the combustion reaction to be favorable towards CO2 generation. This experiment was conducted by varying the amount of catalytic content being introduced into the reactor, by altering the mass of the catalyst from 0.0001 grams - 0.0005 grams, while using a temperature of 400oC and MCA frequency of 3Hz, the MCA frequency of 3Hz provides the reactant the opportunity to fully interact with the pores of the catalytic surface under mild reactor bed vibrations while under the impact of atmospheric pressure. Prospects for the development of industrial technology based on experimental studies were considered.