Call: +34 876 555 485
Email: srenda@unizar.es
Address: Office 3.1.11 c/Mariano Esquillor SN Edificio I+D+i, I3A, 50018, Zaragoza (Spain)
Sideral: See the profile (CV)
ABOUT ME
Simona Renda is a post-doctoral researcher specialized in heterogeneous catalysis and chemical engineering. Since June 2023, she is a member of the Catalysis, Molecular Separation and Reactor Engineering Group (CREG) at the University of Zaragoza (Spain), where her activity is focused on membrane distillation processes and mathematical modelling of fluidized bed reactors for dimethyl ether synthesis.
She achieved her PhD degree in Industrial Engineering (curriculum Chemical Engineering) on February 23rd 2023, at the University of Salerno (Italy), where she was working since early 2019. Her PhD project was developed in collaboration with and funded by the company KT-Kinetics Technology (Roma, Italy) of the Marie Tecnimont group, an international EPC contractor. In the years at the University of Salerno, her activity was mainly dedicated to the process intensification of CO2 hydrogenation and COS hydrolysis. The latter was the theme of her PhD thesis, entitled “Structured catalysts for COS hydrolysis process intensification” (ISBN: 88-7897-140-5, under 1-year embargo period for confidentiality reasons).
Simona Renda is author of 23 indexed publications and has an h-index of 9, according to Scopus® (@September 2023).
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5926-5252
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57212381756
PUBLICATIONS
2025
Renda, Simona; Soler, Jaime; Herguido, Javier; Menéndez, Miguel
En: Biomass and Bioenergy, vol. 197, pp. 107764, 2025, ISSN: 0961-9534.
@article{RENDA2025107764,
title = {Effect of particles size and density on the segregation of catalyst-sorbent mixtures for direct sorption-enhanced DME synthesis: Experimental and mathematical study},
author = {Simona Renda and Jaime Soler and Javier Herguido and Miguel Menéndez},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0961953425001758},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.107764},
issn = {0961-9534},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Biomass and Bioenergy},
volume = {197},
pages = {107764},
abstract = {Direct sorption-enhanced dimethyl ether synthesis (SEDMES) is a promising process for the production of fuels from CO2 sources. Using novel technologies, the process can be run exploiting the phenomena of particles segregation in a fluidized bed reactor. However, the knowledge on the solid movement and the segregation patterns is a mandatory preliminary step for the setup of the final application. In this study, we evaluated the impact of particles size and density on the segregation patterns, and we used the Gibilaro and Rowe (GR) model to analytically represent the experimental results. It was observed that the variation of both parameters influences segregation, even though a higher separation degree in a wider operating velocity range was observed when a higher density ratio was induced between the two solids. Through the experimental analysis, five possible bed configurations were identified, and a consideration was made on the aims of the GR model to adjust the mathematical representation to the present case. By considering the bottom portion of the bed as a jetsam-rich phase and not – as previously reported – as a segregated layer, a mass balance on the catalyst allowed to obtain a faithful analytical representation of the experimental segregation patterns.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Direct sorption-enhanced dimethyl ether synthesis (SEDMES) is a promising process for the production of fuels from CO2 sources. Using novel technologies, the process can be run exploiting the phenomena of particles segregation in a fluidized bed reactor. However, the knowledge on the solid movement and the segregation patterns is a mandatory preliminary step for the setup of the final application. In this study, we evaluated the impact of particles size and density on the segregation patterns, and we used the Gibilaro and Rowe (GR) model to analytically represent the experimental results. It was observed that the variation of both parameters influences segregation, even though a higher separation degree in a wider operating velocity range was observed when a higher density ratio was induced between the two solids. Through the experimental analysis, five possible bed configurations were identified, and a consideration was made on the aims of the GR model to adjust the mathematical representation to the present case. By considering the bottom portion of the bed as a jetsam-rich phase and not – as previously reported – as a segregated layer, a mass balance on the catalyst allowed to obtain a faithful analytical representation of the experimental segregation patterns.
Renda, Simona; Menéndez, Miguel
Process Intensification for CO2 Hydrogenation to Liquid Fuels Journal Article
En: Catalysts, vol. 15, no. 6, 2025, ISSN: 2073-4344.
@article{catal15060509,
title = {Process Intensification for CO2 Hydrogenation to Liquid Fuels},
author = {Simona Renda and Miguel Menéndez},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/15/6/509},
doi = {10.3390/catal15060509},
issn = {2073-4344},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Catalysts},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
abstract = {Liquid fuels obtained from CO2 and green hydrogen (i.e., e-fuels) are powerful tools for decarbonizing economy. Improvements provided by Process Intensification in the existing conventional reactors aim to decrease energy consumption, increase yield, and ensure more compact and safe processes. This review describes the advances in the production of methanol, dimethyl ether, and hydrocarbons by Fischer–Tropsch using different Process Intensification tools, mainly membrane reactors, sorption-enhanced reactors, and structured reactors. Due to the environmental interest, this review article focused on discussing methanol and dimethyl ether synthesis from CO2 + H2, which also represented the most innovative approach. The use of syngas (CO + H2) is generally preferred for the Fischer–Tropsch process; hence, studies examining this process were included in the present review. Both mathematical models and experimental results are discussed. Achievements in the improvement of catalytic reactor performance are described. Experimental results in membrane reactors show increased performance in e-fuels production compared to the conventional packed bed reactor. The combination of sorption and reaction also increases the single-pass conversion and yield, although this improvement is limited by the saturation capacity of the sorbent in most cases.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Liquid fuels obtained from CO2 and green hydrogen (i.e., e-fuels) are powerful tools for decarbonizing economy. Improvements provided by Process Intensification in the existing conventional reactors aim to decrease energy consumption, increase yield, and ensure more compact and safe processes. This review describes the advances in the production of methanol, dimethyl ether, and hydrocarbons by Fischer–Tropsch using different Process Intensification tools, mainly membrane reactors, sorption-enhanced reactors, and structured reactors. Due to the environmental interest, this review article focused on discussing methanol and dimethyl ether synthesis from CO2 + H2, which also represented the most innovative approach. The use of syngas (CO + H2) is generally preferred for the Fischer–Tropsch process; hence, studies examining this process were included in the present review. Both mathematical models and experimental results are discussed. Achievements in the improvement of catalytic reactor performance are described. Experimental results in membrane reactors show increased performance in e-fuels production compared to the conventional packed bed reactor. The combination of sorption and reaction also increases the single-pass conversion and yield, although this improvement is limited by the saturation capacity of the sorbent in most cases.
2024
Renda, Simona; Martino, Marco; Palma, Vincenzo
CO2 methanation over open cell foams prepared via chemical conversion coating Journal Article
En: Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 434, pp. 140221, 2024, ISSN: 0959-6526.
@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}
}
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.
Ugarte, Patricia; Renda, Simona; Cano, Miguel; Pérez, Jorge; Peña, José Ángel; Menéndez, Miguel
Air-Gap Membrane Distillation of Industrial Brine: Effect of Brine Concentration and Temperature Journal Article
En: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 1546-1553, 2024.
@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}
}
Renda, Simona; Lasobras, Javier; Soler, Jaime; Herguido, Javier; Menéndez, Miguel
Dependence of the Fluidizing Condition on Operating Parameters for Sorption-Enhanced Methanol Synthesis Catalyst and Adsorbent Journal Article
En: Catalysts, vol. 14, no. 7, 2024, ISSN: 2073-4344.
@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.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
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.