Overview

The event will showcase current perspectives in catalysis research from the process engineering perspectives. The industrialisation of catalytic processes requires not only effective catalytic active sites and high selectivity for products, but also brings in considerations of reactor design and process intensification, which in turn affects cost and safety of the plant.

The transition away from fossil fuels requires catalysts that are effective for conversion of biofeedstocks and renewables, such as sugars. Whilst understanding the kinetics of the reaction and implementing automated process control are essential for industrialisation and scale-up.

This webinar will present three perspectives on the above topics from some early career researchers of achievement and potential to become the next generation of leaders in this field. 

Speakers

Abdullahi Adamu

Abdullahi Adamu studies the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction by applying intensification technologies. His experience includes: Developing nanostructured materials with high optical response in a Spinning Disc Reactor (SDR), designing and developing a microreactor for testing the synthesised materials and improving photon absorption of photocatalysts. A spinning disc reactor (SDR) is used to synthesise TiO2 based photocatalysts, which enables efficient and uniform mixing and control the properties of the photocatalyst materials. To benchmark this technology, he is also using a stirred tank reactor.

Adam Clayton

Adam completed a PhD in chemical and process engineering at the University of Leeds under the supervision of Professor Richard Bourne, where he focused on the development of multiobjective self-optimisation platforms. He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Institute of Process Research and Development until 2022, when he was awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship based at the University of Leeds. Adam’s research group focuses on advancing digital technologies to facilitate the development of multistep processes and integrated catalytic reactions.

Sergio Vernuccio

Sergio received a PhD in process engineering (2017) from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, where he worked on the application of structured reactors to three-phase reactive processes with high industrial relevance in prospect of Process Intensification. From 2017 and 2019, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Professor Linda J. Broadbelt at Northwestern University, USA where he studied mechanisms of acid-based oligomerisation of olefins on zeolites for the upgrading of shale gas resources. His research activity spans from catalysis to reaction engineering and aims to understand the link between macroscopic observation and fundamental phenomena in complex reaction systems.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Webinar recording