NSF Org:	CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
Recipient:	THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date:	February 4, 1993
Latest Amendment Date:	March 23, 1995
Award Number:	9211552
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	RAUL MIRANDA CBET  Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG  Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	March 1, 1993
End Date:	August 31, 1996 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$246,798.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$266,097.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1993 = $78,982.00 FY 1994 = $102,240.00 FY 1995 = $84,875.00
History of Investigator:	M. Albert Vannice (Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Pennsylvania State Univ University Park 201 OLD MAIN UNIVERSITY PARK PA  US  16802-1503 (814)865-1372
Sponsor Congressional District:	15
Primary Place of Performance:	Pennsylvania State Univ University Park 201 OLD MAIN UNIVERSITY PARK PA  US  16802-1503
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	15
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	NPM2J7MSCF61
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Catalysis
Primary Program Source:	app-0194  app-0195
Program Reference Code(s):	9188, 9223, EGCH, ENVI
Program Element Code(s):	140100
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.041

ABSTRACT

This project examines the feasibility of reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides from stationary power sources by including a catalytic reburn step in the process. The reburn chamber would be incorporated into the stack of a boiler or into a heat- recovery steam generator following a gas turbine, and would incorporate heterogeneous catalysts capable of generating methyl radicals from natural gas (methane) injected into the exit stream of the combustor. The ability of methyl radicals to reduce nitrogen oxides is already well established. In this study, two families of catalysts known to generate methyl radicals from methane are used: lithium-doped zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, and rare- earth oxides such as lanthana. Catalytic studies and adsorption measurements provide specific activities, activation energies, and kinetic rate expressions. Infrared spectroscopy done in situ is used to characterized the surface species on the most active catalysts. Successful application of this concept to power generating processes would result in an enormous decrease in nitrogen oxide emissions and would probably eliminate acid rain from power generation as a major environmental problem. It would also obviate the need for the more expensive and more cumbersome processes involving ammonia that are currently being used. Application to other industrial sources nitrogen oxides is also envisioned.

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