Catalysts are widely used in the chemical process industry to increase yields of industrial reactions. Using the packed bed reactors at WPI, which contain palladium and platinum catalysts, the kinetics of complete methane oxidation over were examined. The activation energy and reaction orders were calculated for this reaction over both catalysts and was found to be within the range provided by literature. The system was redesigned to deliver quicker and simpler results via the replacement of the gas chromatograph with CO2 meters. It was determined that the CO2 meters were a sufficient replacement for the purposes of unit operations experimentation. A new experimental procedure was designed to provide a more complete study and understanding of catalysis for chemical engineering students.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Wise, Thomas D.
• Dobosz, Timothy Marian
• Powell, Joshua Mark

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042313-202728

Advisor

• Clark, William M.

Year

• 2013

Date created

• 2013-04-23

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright