Thesis Archive
Effect of Copper on Activated Carbon Activity during Methane Decomposition (2011)
Bettina Anne N. Bostre
Peidi H. Lee
Eleanor Agnes A. Ong
Abstract:
-“This study aims to determine the effect of copper at 5%, 10% and 15% as well as the effect of temperature at 800°C, 900°C, 950°C and 1000°C on the decomposition of methane using activated carbon catalyst. The catalysts were prepared using the dry impregnation method then calcined for 1 hour at 400°C under N2 atmosphere and were reduced for 4 hours at 400°C under H2 atmosphere. Catalyst characterization was done using AAS, XRD, EDX, SEM, FTIR, and BET methods. BET results revealed that the surface area, pore volume and pore size drastically decreased due to copper loading. EDX results show an approximate surface copper content, which is confirmed by AAS and XRD results. FTIR results show that carboxyl groups are present in the prepared catalyst, specifically alcohols and phenols. From the SEM results, the copper dispersion was noted to be well dispersed and increased as loading increased. In terms of hydrogen yield, 15% Cu/AC at 1000°C gave the highest yield at an average of 1.5 moles H2 per mole of CH4. 15% Cu/AC reached the highest hydrogen yield, but then showed rapid deactivation and low stability. Based on the methane conversion, it was found that% Cu/AC at 1000°C had the largest conversion and greatest stability at 48.85% average methane conversion. This suggests that it was the least easily deactivated. For the time course stability of the catalyst, 10% Cu/AC at 1000°C showed greater stability compared to the 15% Cu/AC at 1000°C. The reason of which is its lower activity but higher stability. Post-characterization of the spent 15% Cu/AC catalyst using the SEM analysis showed that the copper support was covered in the reaction. SEM image captures show less dense white agglomerations that indicate the loss of activity. No carbon nanotubes were found at the 7,500x SEM magnification. EDX analysis show the decrease of copper counts in the spent 15% Cu/AC catalyst which indicates the loss activity and deactivation of the catalyst. “
Adviser:
Leonilla C. Abella
Monroy, Teddy G.