Publications

@article{ZAPATER2024101176,

title = {Multifunctional fluidized bed reactors for process intensification},

author = {D. Zapater and S. R. Kulkarni and F. Wery and M. Cui and J. Herguido and M. Menendez and G. J. Heynderickx and K. M. Van Geem and J. Gascon and P. Castaño},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360128524000340},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2024.101176},

issn = {0360-1285},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-07-31},

urldate = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Progress in Energy and Combustion Science},

volume = {105},

pages = {101176},

abstract = {Fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) are crucial in the chemical industry, serving essential roles in gasoline production, manufacturing materials, and waste treatment. However, traditional up-flow FBRs have limitations in applications where rapid kinetics, catalyst deactivation, sluggish mass/heat transfer processes, particle erosion or agglomeration (clustering) occur. This review investigates multifunctional FBRs that can function in multiple ways and intensify processes. These reactors can reduce reaction steps and costs, enhance heat and mass transfer, make processes more compact, couple different phenomena, improve energy efficiency, operate in extreme fluidized regimes, have augmented throughput, or solve problems inherited by traditional reactor configurations. They address constraints associated with conventional counterparts and contribute to favorable energy, fuels, and environmental footprints. These reactors can be classified as two-zone, vortex, and internal circulating FBRs, with each concept summarized, including their advantages, disadvantages, process applicability, intensification, visualization, and simulation work. This discussion also includes shared considerations for these reactor types, along with perspectives on future advancements and opportunities for enhancing their performance.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ZHU2024172535,

title = {Ultra-high specific surface area spherical FePOx/SiO2 aerogel with excellent mechanical properties for the highly selective direct oxidation of CH4 to HCHO},

author = {Kunmeng Zhu and Fuwei Gao and Zhiyang Zhao and Jian Ren and Javier Lasobras and Xiaodong Shen and Sheng Cui and Miguel Menéndez},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925838823038380},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.172535},

issn = {0925-8388},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Alloys and Compounds},

volume = {971},

pages = {172535},

abstract = {Silica aerogels, characterized by their high porosity and substantial specific surface area, are suitable for applications as catalysts or catalyst supports. The simultaneous attainment of a substantial specific surface area and robust mechanical properties in aerogel materials remains a formidable challenge in material synthesis. Spherical FePOx/SiO2 aerogel materials were synthesized employing a combination of heating reflux, the sol-gel technique, and supercritical ethanol drying. These composites demonstrate an exceptional specific surface area, uniformly dispersed active components, shape controllability, and superior mechanical strength. A noteworthy enhancement in both specific surface area (1175 m2/g) and compressive modulus (7.56 MPa) surpasses many findings reported in extant literature. Under conditions of a reaction temperature at 650 °C and a flow rate of 97.5 mL/min, the HCHO selectivity and yield for 4 wt% FePOx/SiO2 aerogel were 18.3 and 4.2 times, respectively, higher than those of 4 wt% FePOx/SiO2 particles. These composites manifest significant selectivity towards the direct catalytic oxidation of CH4 to HCHO.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03956,

title = {Effect of Thermal, Acid, and Alkaline Treatments over SAPO-34 and Its Agglomerated Catalysts: Property Modification and Methanol-to-Olefin Reaction Performance},

author = {Diego Zapater and Javier Lasobras and Naydu Zambrano and Idoia Hita and Pedro Castaño and Jaime Soler and Javier Herguido and Miguel Menéndez},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03956},

doi = {10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03956},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research},

volume = {63},

number = {8},

pages = {3586-3599},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{GARCIAGARETA2024151396,

title = {Physico-chemical characterization of the tumour microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma},

author = {Elena García-Gareta and Alejandro Calderón-Villalba and Pilar Alamán-Díez and Carlos Gracia Costa and Pedro Enrique Guerrero and Carlota Mur and Ana Rueda Flores and Nerea Olivera Jurjo and Patricia Sancho and María Ángeles Pérez and José Manuel García-Aznar},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S017193352400013X},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151396},

issn = {0171-9335},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {European Journal of Cell Biology},

volume = {103},

number = {2},

pages = {151396},

abstract = {Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy that accounts for more than 90% of pancreatic cancer diagnoses. Our research is focused on the physico-chemical properties of the tumour microenvironment (TME), including its tumoural extracellular matrix (tECM), as they may have an important impact on the success of cancer therapies. PDAC xenografts and their decellularized tECM offer a great material source for research in terms of biomimicry with the original human tumour. Our aim was to evaluate and quantify the physico-chemical properties of the PDAC TME. Both cellularized (native TME) and decellularized (tECM) patient-derived PDAC xenografts were analyzed. A factorial design of experiments identified an optimal combination of factors for effective xenograft decellularization. Our results provide a complete advance in our understanding of the PDAC TME and its corresponding stroma, showing that it presents an interconnected porous architecture with very low permeability and small pores due to the contractility of the cellular components. This fact provides a potential therapeutic strategy based on the therapeutic agent size.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{RENDA2024140221,

title = {CO2 methanation over open cell foams prepared via chemical conversion coating},

author = {Simona Renda and Marco Martino and Vincenzo Palma},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652623043792},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140221},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

volume = {434},

pages = {140221},

abstract = {In the framework of the CO2 utilization, and of the integration of renewable energy sources into the power generation scenario, the methanation reaction plays a key role, being the core of the power-to-gas, or power-to-X, processes. Structured catalysts are widely recognized for being particularly promising in exothermic processes, as they ensure a better thermal management of the heat generated within the system. In recent years, the application of metallic structures has spread. Nevertheless, the functionalization of these structures via washcoating procedure has several disadvantages. Herein, it is highlighted the potential of ceria chemical-conversion coating (CCC) as technique for the preparation of methanation catalysts, and optimize the Ni deposition procedure on such structures. In this work, the suitability of the obtained catalysts for CO2 methanation was evaluated in several operating conditions, obtaining CO2 conversion as high as 70 % below 400 °C with the most promising sample. In a first analysis, it was demonstrated that the catalysts prepared through the CCC technique can be applied in the CO2 methanation systems. In addition, through a kinetic analysis it was highlighted that the preparation method could be a key parameter for the selectivity of the process, driving the system towards a direct CO2 methanation or to the CO-path mechanism, therefore further studies should be performed to better explore this aspect.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{MERCADER2024114667,

title = {Biogas upgrading by intensified methanation (SESaR): Reaction plus water adsorption - desorption cycles with Ni-Fe/Al2O3 catalyst and LTA 5A zeolite},

author = {Víctor Daniel Mercader and Paúl Durán and Pablo Aragüés-Aldea and Eva Francés and Javier Herguido and José Angel Peña},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920586124001615},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114667},

issn = {0920-5861},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Catalysis Today},

volume = {433},

pages = {114667},

abstract = {This work is conducted within the framework of the Power to Gas (PtG) technologies, focusing on the topic of “biogas upgrading”. The objective is to enhance the CH4 content of biogas streams by utilizing the CO2 present in these streams through the Sabatier reaction, thereby producing a renewable alternative to natural (fossil) gas. Referred to as “SESaR”(Sorption Enhanced Sabatier Reaction), this process employs a catalytic fixed-bed reactor, featuring selective water adsorption using LTA 5A zeolites, as an innovative approach to traditional methanation reactors. The catalyst used comprises Ni-Fe (7.5:2.5 wt/wt) as the active metallic phase supported on γ-Al2O3. Experimental work has been divided in two sets of trials. The first set focuses on the hydrogenation of CO2 as single reactant (H2 also supplied in the inlet with 4:1 = H2:CO2 molar ratio). The second set of experiments was carried out with a synthetic gas mixture representative of a sweetened biogas stream (molar ratio CH4:CO2 = 7:3). Maximum intensification behavior for CO2 conversion was found at 350 °C, also showing that CH4 presence in the inlet gas has negligible influence on the conversion of CO2. Selectivity to CO is minimized at temperatures exceeding 300 °C and remains constant after three consecutive cycles of methanation, water adsorption, and desorption. The Fe-Ni catalyst has demonstrated sustained performance throughout the experimental cycles, exhibiting no significant loss of activity.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03415,

title = {Air-Gap Membrane Distillation of Industrial Brine: Effect of Brine Concentration and Temperature},

author = {Patricia Ugarte and Simona Renda and Miguel Cano and Jorge Pérez and José Ángel Peña and Miguel Menéndez},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03415},

doi = {10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03415},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research},

volume = {63},

number = {3},

pages = {1546-1553},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{RUIZGUTIERREZ2024206948,

title = {Lindane removal by catalytic hydrodechlorination},

author = {A. Ruiz-Gutiérrez and J. Lasobras and M. Menéndez},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950648424000348},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcato.2024.206948},

issn = {2950-6484},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Applied Catalysis O: Open},

volume = {188},

pages = {206948},

abstract = {Lindane is an organochlorine pesticide, that has caused contamination of soil, water and air. This paper studies catalytic hydrodechlorination as a possible solution to the lindane problem in water streams. Several catalysts were tested. The effects of mass transfer and temperature was studied for a Ni-based and a Pt-based catalysts. A Ni-supported and a Pt-supported catalyst gave good results, but the best catalyst was Pd supported on active carbon, which provided 99% conversion in a few minutes at room temperature. Additional tests allow to discard adsorption instead of a catalytic effect. The amount of hexachlorocyclohexane compounds remaining as adsorbed on the catalyst surface was negligible.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{DURAN2024114849,

title = {Biogas upgrading through CO2 methanation in a polytropic - distributed feed fixed bed reactor},

author = {P. Durán and P. Aragüés-Aldea and R. González-Pizarro and V. D. Mercader and F. Cazaña and E. Francés and J. A. Peña and J. Herguido},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920586124003432},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114849},

issn = {0920-5861},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Catalysis Today},

volume = {440},

pages = {114849},

abstract = {Methanation of the CO2 contained in a biogas stream has been experimentally analyzed in a fixed bed reactor with a Ni-Mn catalyst, evaluating the effect of feeding reactants distributed throughout the bed. The performance of different feeding configurations (conventional cofeeding and others implying a lateral distribution of one of the reactive streams) has been analyzed for different nominal temperatures T (250–400 ºC) and weight-related space velocities WHSV (47.71–6.63 gCO2 gcat-1 h-1), always keeping a H2: CO2 ratio of 4:1, and a CH4:CO2 ratio of 7:3. For identical WHSV, the lateral biogas distribution (Poly-Biogas feeding configuration) always showed the best results in terms of activity (higher conversion at the same temperature) and selectivity (lower selectivity to CO in iso-conversion). These better results agree with what was observed in a previous work in methanation of CO2 (i.e., without methane in the feed). In that work, CO2 was distributed along the catalytic bed by several lateral feeds (Poly-CO2). When T was kept constant and WHSV was varied, the reactor fed with distributed biogas (Poly-Biogas), again confirmed its higher efficiency and better selectivity for biogas upgrading (i.e., higher CH4 content). Furthermore, by adopting a Poly-Biogas (or poly-CO2) feeding configuration, a more homogeneous temperature profile was achieved along the bed avoiding the severity of hot spots appearance. In contrast, the lateral distribution of hydrogen (Poly-H2) always led to similar or worse results than those for the conventional co-feeding configuration.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c03929,

title = {Flow Reactor Oxidation of Ammonia–Hydrogen Fuel Mixtures},

author = {Maria U. Alzueta and Victor Mercader and Alberto Cuoci and Sander Gersen and Hamid Hashemi and Peter Glarborg},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c03929},

doi = {10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c03929},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Energy & Fuels},

volume = {38},

number = {4},

pages = {3369-3381},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{catal14070409,

title = {A Preliminary Assessment of Sorption-Enhanced Methanol Synthesis in a Fluidized Bed Reactor with Selective Addition/Removal of the Sorbent},

author = {Miguel Menéndez and Raúl Ciércoles and Javier Lasobras and Jaime Soler and Javier Herguido},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/14/7/409},

doi = {10.3390/catal14070409},

issn = {2073-4344},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Catalysts},

volume = {14},

number = {7},

abstract = {Methanol synthesis from CO2 can be made in the presence of a sorbent to increase the achievable yield. If the fresh sorbent is continuously fed to a fluidized bed and separated from the catalyst bed by segregation, a steady-state operation can be achieved. The objective of the present work is to provide insight on the suitable operating conditions for such a fluidized bed reactor system. For this, a conventional CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 was selected as the catalyst, and the SiOLITE® zeolite was selected as the sorbent. Different particle sizes were used to be tested in various proportions to perform the fluidized bed segregation study. The fluid dynamics and segregation of the catalyst–sorbent binary mixtures were the most critical points in the development of this proof of concept. A good bed segregation with a mixing index of 0.31 was achieved. This fact favors the correct operation of the system with the continuous addition of adsorbent, which had hardly any catalyst losses during the tests carried out, achieving a loss of 0.005 g/min under optimal conditions. Continuous feeding and removal of sorbent with a low loss of catalyst was observed. Reactor simulations with MATLAB provided promising results, indicating that the addition of sorbent considerably improves the methanol yield under some operating conditions. This makes it more viable for industrial scaling, since it allows us to considerably reduce the pressure used in the methanol synthesis process or to increase the yield per step, reducing the recirculation of unconverted reactants.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{catal14070432,

title = {Dependence of the Fluidizing Condition on Operating Parameters for Sorption-Enhanced Methanol Synthesis Catalyst and Adsorbent},

author = {Simona Renda and Javier Lasobras and Jaime Soler and Javier Herguido and Miguel Menéndez},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/14/7/432},

doi = {10.3390/catal14070432},

issn = {2073-4344},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Catalysts},

volume = {14},

number = {7},

abstract = {The fluidization of two different solids was investigated by varying the temperature and pressure conditions and the fluidizing gas. The solids are a novel catalyst and a water sorbent that could be used to perform sorption-enhanced methanol synthesis; the operating conditions were selected accordingly to this process. The aim of this investigation was to find an expression for predicting the minimum fluidization conditions of a methanol synthesis catalyst and an adsorbent in the presence of their process stream and operating conditions. The findings of this study highlighted how umf (STP) decreases with a rise in temperature and increases with a rise in pressure, according to other works in the literature with different solids. Furthermore, the type of gas was found to influence the minimum fluidization velocity significantly. The experimental results agreed well with a theoretical expression of the minimum fluidization velocity adjusted for temperature, pressure, and viscosity. The choice of the expression for viscosity calculation in the case of gas mixtures was found to be of key importance. These results will be useful for researchers aiming to calculate the minimum fluidization velocity of a catalyst or other solids under reaction conditions using results obtained at ambient conditions with air or inert gas.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}