Pub Date : 2024-08-09DOI: 10.3390/reactions5030025
Federico M. Perez, F. Pompeo, G. Santori, M. Gatti
The aim of this work was to develop a kinetic model based on the power law to describe the evolution of glycerol conversion and product distribution in the crude glycerol (G) acetylation reaction with acetic acid (AA) without the use of a catalyst. For this purpose, experimental tests were carried out with analytical glycerol under different reaction conditions (T = 80–160 °C, AA/G = 1–9 molar ratio, t = 0.25–2 h). The results showed the formation of mono- (MAG), di- (DAG) and tri- (TAG) acetylglycerols, liquid products with multiple applications in the chemical industry. From these results, a kinetic model based on the power law was implemented, which could acceptably estimate the experimental concentrations with an average relative error of 14.9%. Then, crude glycerol samples from different biodiesel industries were characterized by identifying and quantifying the impurities present in them (H2O, CH3OH, NaOH, NaCOOH, MONG and NaCl), and employed as reactants in the reaction tests. Given the significant differences observed in the glycerol conversion values compared to those obtained with analytical glycerol, further reaction tests were conducted to elucidate the effect of each impurity over the glycerol conversion. In these tests, the different impurities were added individually, maintaining the same concentration range as that of the crude glycerol samples. From the results obtained, global activity factors were introduced, which allowed us to modify the kinetic model to estimate glycerol conversions in the crude glycerol samples with an average relative error of 7%. It is hoped that this kinetic model will be a powerful tool useful for designing reactors on an industrial scale.
{"title":"Autocatalytic Acetylation of Crude Glycerol Using Acetic Acid: A Kinetic Model","authors":"Federico M. Perez, F. Pompeo, G. Santori, M. Gatti","doi":"10.3390/reactions5030025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5030025","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this work was to develop a kinetic model based on the power law to describe the evolution of glycerol conversion and product distribution in the crude glycerol (G) acetylation reaction with acetic acid (AA) without the use of a catalyst. For this purpose, experimental tests were carried out with analytical glycerol under different reaction conditions (T = 80–160 °C, AA/G = 1–9 molar ratio, t = 0.25–2 h). The results showed the formation of mono- (MAG), di- (DAG) and tri- (TAG) acetylglycerols, liquid products with multiple applications in the chemical industry. From these results, a kinetic model based on the power law was implemented, which could acceptably estimate the experimental concentrations with an average relative error of 14.9%. Then, crude glycerol samples from different biodiesel industries were characterized by identifying and quantifying the impurities present in them (H2O, CH3OH, NaOH, NaCOOH, MONG and NaCl), and employed as reactants in the reaction tests. Given the significant differences observed in the glycerol conversion values compared to those obtained with analytical glycerol, further reaction tests were conducted to elucidate the effect of each impurity over the glycerol conversion. In these tests, the different impurities were added individually, maintaining the same concentration range as that of the crude glycerol samples. From the results obtained, global activity factors were introduced, which allowed us to modify the kinetic model to estimate glycerol conversions in the crude glycerol samples with an average relative error of 7%. It is hoped that this kinetic model will be a powerful tool useful for designing reactors on an industrial scale.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"92 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141921786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-02DOI: 10.3390/reactions5030021
Salma Sleiman, Samaneh Shahgaldi, J. Huot
The first hydrogenation of most metal hydrides is a lengthy process that usually requires high pressure and temperature. This, in turn, significantly increases the production cost of metal hydrides. In this paper, the low temperature hydride-forming LaNi5 was selected to investigate the mechanism of first hydrogenation. For the first time, the effect of particle size, temperature and pressure on the incubation time were studied. We found that the first hydrogenation of LaNi5 follows an Arrhenius process, with an activation energy of EA = 78 ± 4 kJ/mol H2. We also found that the pre-exponential factor depends on the applied pressure.
{"title":"Investigation of the First Hydrogenation of LaNi5","authors":"Salma Sleiman, Samaneh Shahgaldi, J. Huot","doi":"10.3390/reactions5030021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5030021","url":null,"abstract":"The first hydrogenation of most metal hydrides is a lengthy process that usually requires high pressure and temperature. This, in turn, significantly increases the production cost of metal hydrides. In this paper, the low temperature hydride-forming LaNi5 was selected to investigate the mechanism of first hydrogenation. For the first time, the effect of particle size, temperature and pressure on the incubation time were studied. We found that the first hydrogenation of LaNi5 follows an Arrhenius process, with an activation energy of EA = 78 ± 4 kJ/mol H2. We also found that the pre-exponential factor depends on the applied pressure.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"314 5‐6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141686788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-09DOI: 10.3390/reactions5020019
M. J. da Silva, A. A. Rodrigues, D. C. Batalha
Among the different polyoxometalate compounds, Keggin heteropolyacids have been extensively used as catalysts in several acid-catalyzed reactions, due to their strong strength of Bronsted acidity. These metal–oxygen clusters have a highly versatile structure that allows their conversion to derivatives, which are catalysts that are much more efficient than their precursors, with a greater catalytic activity in a plethora of reactions of industrial interest. Particularly, due to the inevitable exhaustion of fossil sources, reactions to valorize biomass have attracted significant attention, since it is a precious renewable raw material that can provide fine chemicals or fuels, minimizing our dependence on petroproducts. Biorefinery processes can produce platform molecules to achieve this goal. In this review, the recent advances achieved in the development of routes to converting biomass feedstocks to levulinic acid and furfural, which are valuable ingredients in biorefinery processes, using Keggin heteropolyacid catalysts were assessed.
{"title":"Furfural and Levulinic Acid: Synthesis of Platform Molecules from Keggin Heteropolyacid-Catalyzed Biomass Conversion Reactions","authors":"M. J. da Silva, A. A. Rodrigues, D. C. Batalha","doi":"10.3390/reactions5020019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5020019","url":null,"abstract":"Among the different polyoxometalate compounds, Keggin heteropolyacids have been extensively used as catalysts in several acid-catalyzed reactions, due to their strong strength of Bronsted acidity. These metal–oxygen clusters have a highly versatile structure that allows their conversion to derivatives, which are catalysts that are much more efficient than their precursors, with a greater catalytic activity in a plethora of reactions of industrial interest. Particularly, due to the inevitable exhaustion of fossil sources, reactions to valorize biomass have attracted significant attention, since it is a precious renewable raw material that can provide fine chemicals or fuels, minimizing our dependence on petroproducts. Biorefinery processes can produce platform molecules to achieve this goal. In this review, the recent advances achieved in the development of routes to converting biomass feedstocks to levulinic acid and furfural, which are valuable ingredients in biorefinery processes, using Keggin heteropolyacid catalysts were assessed.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":" 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141367038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-07DOI: 10.3390/reactions5020018
David R. Wagner
Process design critically depends on the characterization of fuels and their kinetics under process conditions. This study steps beyond the fundamental methods of thermogravimetry to modulated (MTGA) and Hi-Res™ (high resolution) techniques to (1) add characterization detail and (2) increase the utility of thermal analysis data. Modulated TGA methods overlay sinusoidal functions on the heating rates to determine activation energy as a function of temperature with time. Under devolatilization conditions, Hi-Res™ TGA maintains a constant mass loss with time and temperature. These two methods, run independently or overlaid, offer additional analysis in which multiple samples at different heating rates are run to different final temperatures. Advanced methods allow researchers to use fewer samples by conducting fewer runs, targeting practical experimental designs, and quantifying errors easier. The parameters of the studies included here vary the heating rate at 10, 30, and 50 °C/min; vary gas-phase oxygen for pyrolysis or combustion conditions; and particle size ranges of 100–125 µm, 400–425 µm, and 600–630 µm. The two biomass fuels used in the studies are pinewood from Northern Sweden and wheat straw. The influence of torrefaction is also included at temperatures of 220, 250, and 280 °C. Apparent activation energy results align with the previous MTGA data in that combustion conditions yield higher values than pyrolysis conditions—200–250 kJ/mol and 175–225 kJ/mol for pine and wheat combustion, respectively, depending on pre-treatment. Results show the dependence of these parameters upon one another from a traditional thermal analysis approach, e.g., the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall method, as well as MTGA and Hi-Res™ thermogravimetric investigations to show future directions for thermal analysis techniques.
{"title":"Advanced Thermogravimetric Analyses of Stem Wood and Straw Devolatilization: Torrefaction through Combustion","authors":"David R. Wagner","doi":"10.3390/reactions5020018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5020018","url":null,"abstract":"Process design critically depends on the characterization of fuels and their kinetics under process conditions. This study steps beyond the fundamental methods of thermogravimetry to modulated (MTGA) and Hi-Res™ (high resolution) techniques to (1) add characterization detail and (2) increase the utility of thermal analysis data. Modulated TGA methods overlay sinusoidal functions on the heating rates to determine activation energy as a function of temperature with time. Under devolatilization conditions, Hi-Res™ TGA maintains a constant mass loss with time and temperature. These two methods, run independently or overlaid, offer additional analysis in which multiple samples at different heating rates are run to different final temperatures. Advanced methods allow researchers to use fewer samples by conducting fewer runs, targeting practical experimental designs, and quantifying errors easier. The parameters of the studies included here vary the heating rate at 10, 30, and 50 °C/min; vary gas-phase oxygen for pyrolysis or combustion conditions; and particle size ranges of 100–125 µm, 400–425 µm, and 600–630 µm. The two biomass fuels used in the studies are pinewood from Northern Sweden and wheat straw. The influence of torrefaction is also included at temperatures of 220, 250, and 280 °C. Apparent activation energy results align with the previous MTGA data in that combustion conditions yield higher values than pyrolysis conditions—200–250 kJ/mol and 175–225 kJ/mol for pine and wheat combustion, respectively, depending on pre-treatment. Results show the dependence of these parameters upon one another from a traditional thermal analysis approach, e.g., the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall method, as well as MTGA and Hi-Res™ thermogravimetric investigations to show future directions for thermal analysis techniques.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":" 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141370974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-22DOI: 10.3390/reactions5020017
Efstathios Papachristopoulos, George N. Prodromidis, Dennis E. Mytakis, Vagelis G. Papadakis, Frank A. Coutelieris
This study combines theoretical modeling and experimental validation to explore anaerobic digestion comprehensively. Developing a computational model is crucial for accurately simulating a digester’s performance, considering various feedstocks and operational parameters. The main objective was to adapt the anaerobic digestion model 1 (ADM1) simulation code to align with the laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion reactor’s specifications, especially regarding the liquid–gas transfer process. Within this computational framework, users may define model parameters and elucidate processes occurring in compartments reflecting the physical design. The model accurately predicts total concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as the produced biogas, with an average difference of less than 10% between experimental and simulated data. This consistency underscores the reliability and effectiveness of the adapted model in capturing anaerobic digestion nuances under specified conditions.
{"title":"Modeling of the Anaerobic Digestion of Biomass Produced by Agricultural Residues in Greece","authors":"Efstathios Papachristopoulos, George N. Prodromidis, Dennis E. Mytakis, Vagelis G. Papadakis, Frank A. Coutelieris","doi":"10.3390/reactions5020017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5020017","url":null,"abstract":"This study combines theoretical modeling and experimental validation to explore anaerobic digestion comprehensively. Developing a computational model is crucial for accurately simulating a digester’s performance, considering various feedstocks and operational parameters. The main objective was to adapt the anaerobic digestion model 1 (ADM1) simulation code to align with the laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion reactor’s specifications, especially regarding the liquid–gas transfer process. Within this computational framework, users may define model parameters and elucidate processes occurring in compartments reflecting the physical design. The model accurately predicts total concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as the produced biogas, with an average difference of less than 10% between experimental and simulated data. This consistency underscores the reliability and effectiveness of the adapted model in capturing anaerobic digestion nuances under specified conditions.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141108857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-01DOI: 10.3390/reactions5020016
Hamad H. Al Mamari
C-H borylation is a powerful strategy for the construction of C-B bonds due to the synthetic versatility of C-B bonds. Various transition metals affect the powerful functionalization of C-H bonds, of which Ir is the most common. Substrate-directed methods have enabled directed Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation at the ortho position. Amongst the powerful directing groups in Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation are N-containing carbocyclic systems. This review covers substrate-directed Ir-catalyzed ortho-C-H borylation of aromatic C(sp2)-H bonds in N-containing carbocyclic compounds, such as anilines, amides, benzyl amines, hydrazones, and triazines.
由于 C-B 键的合成多样性,C-H 硼赖化是构建 C-B 键的一种强有力的策略。各种过渡金属都会影响 C-H 键的强功能化,其中 Ir 是最常见的一种。底物定向方法实现了铱催化的正交位置 C-H 硼酰化。在 Ir 催化的 C-H 玻里化反应中,含有 N 的碳环系统是强大的定向基团。本综述涉及底物定向 Ir 催化的含 N 碳环化合物(如苯胺、酰胺、苄胺、肼和三嗪)中芳香族 C(sp2)-H 键的正位 C-H 玻里化反应。
{"title":"Ir-Catalyzed ortho-C-H Borylation of Aromatic C(sp2)-H Bonds of Carbocyclic Compounds Assisted by N-Bearing Directing Groups","authors":"Hamad H. Al Mamari","doi":"10.3390/reactions5020016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5020016","url":null,"abstract":"C-H borylation is a powerful strategy for the construction of C-B bonds due to the synthetic versatility of C-B bonds. Various transition metals affect the powerful functionalization of C-H bonds, of which Ir is the most common. Substrate-directed methods have enabled directed Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation at the ortho position. Amongst the powerful directing groups in Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation are N-containing carbocyclic systems. This review covers substrate-directed Ir-catalyzed ortho-C-H borylation of aromatic C(sp2)-H bonds in N-containing carbocyclic compounds, such as anilines, amides, benzyl amines, hydrazones, and triazines.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141036158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-16DOI: 10.3390/reactions5020014
Nuno Pacheco, André Ribeiro, Filinto Oliveira, Filipe Pereira, L. Marques, J. Teixeira, C. Vilarinho, Flávia V. Barbosa
The treatment of wastewater worldwide generates substantial quantities of sewage sludge (SS), prompting concerns about its environmental impact. Various approaches have been explored for SS reuse, with energy production emerging as a viable solution. This study focuses on harnessing energy from domestic wastewater treatment (WWT) sewage sludge through plasma gasification. Effective syngas production hinges on precise equipment design which, in turn, depends on the detailed feedstock used for characterization. Key components of plasma gasification include the plasma torch, reactor, heat exchanger, scrubber, and cyclone, enabling the generation of inert slag for landfill disposal and to ensure clean syngas. Designing these components entails considerations of sludge composition, calorific power, thermal conductivity, ash diameter, and fusibility properties, among other parameters. Accordingly, this work entails the development of an experimental setup for the plasma gasification of sewage sludge, taking into account a comprehensive sludge characterization. The experimental findings reveal that domestic WWT sewage sludge with 40% humidity exhibits a low thermal conductivity of approximately 0.392 W/mK and a calorific value of LHV = 20.78 MJ/kg. Also, the relatively low ash content (17%) renders this raw material advantageous for plasma gasification processes. The integration of a detailed sludge characterization into the equipment design lays the foundation for efficient syngas production. This study aims to contribute to advancing sustainable waste-to-energy technologies, namely plasma gasification, by leveraging sewage sludge as a valuable resource for syngas production.
{"title":"Sewage Sludge Plasma Gasification: Characterization and Experimental Rig Design","authors":"Nuno Pacheco, André Ribeiro, Filinto Oliveira, Filipe Pereira, L. Marques, J. Teixeira, C. Vilarinho, Flávia V. Barbosa","doi":"10.3390/reactions5020014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5020014","url":null,"abstract":"The treatment of wastewater worldwide generates substantial quantities of sewage sludge (SS), prompting concerns about its environmental impact. Various approaches have been explored for SS reuse, with energy production emerging as a viable solution. This study focuses on harnessing energy from domestic wastewater treatment (WWT) sewage sludge through plasma gasification. Effective syngas production hinges on precise equipment design which, in turn, depends on the detailed feedstock used for characterization. Key components of plasma gasification include the plasma torch, reactor, heat exchanger, scrubber, and cyclone, enabling the generation of inert slag for landfill disposal and to ensure clean syngas. Designing these components entails considerations of sludge composition, calorific power, thermal conductivity, ash diameter, and fusibility properties, among other parameters. Accordingly, this work entails the development of an experimental setup for the plasma gasification of sewage sludge, taking into account a comprehensive sludge characterization. The experimental findings reveal that domestic WWT sewage sludge with 40% humidity exhibits a low thermal conductivity of approximately 0.392 W/mK and a calorific value of LHV = 20.78 MJ/kg. Also, the relatively low ash content (17%) renders this raw material advantageous for plasma gasification processes. The integration of a detailed sludge characterization into the equipment design lays the foundation for efficient syngas production. This study aims to contribute to advancing sustainable waste-to-energy technologies, namely plasma gasification, by leveraging sewage sludge as a valuable resource for syngas production.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"39 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140694770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-08DOI: 10.3390/reactions5020013
Rogelio Solorzano Toala, F. Gutiérrez-Miceli, B. Valdez-Salas, Ernesto Beltrán-Partida, D. González-Mendoza, Olivia Tzintzun-Camacho, O. Grimaldo-Juárez, Antobelli Basilio-Cortes
Diverse studies have showed that the pesticides can cause important damages in ecosystem. Therefore, the development of bio pesticides through nanotechnology can increase efficacy and limit the negative impacts in the environmental that traditionally seen through the use of chemical pesticides. Nanoparticles obtained from plants’ extracts can be used for effective pest management as a combined formulation of metal and some other organic material present in the plants. In the present study, our evaluated biosynthesis of nanoparticles of copper used two plant extracts (Acacia cornigera and Annona purpurea), and the Taguchi method was adopted for the synthesis optimization of the following variables of biosynthesis: temperature, pH, extract concentration, and reaction times to maximize the insecticidal activity on Tribolium castaneum. Our results showed that the nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Acacia cornigera and Anona purpurea extract under optimum conditions under Taguchi L 9 orthogonal design, where copper nanoparticles were obtained with a size of 63–153 nm for using A. cornigera extract, 87–193 nm for A. purpurea extract, and a zeta potential of 9.6 mV and −32.7 mV, respectively. The nanoparticles of copper from A. cornigera showed effective insecticidal activity against Tribolium castaneum, and 90% mortality compared to the 76.6% obtained from nanoparticles of copper from A. purpurea. The results suggest that Cu-nanoparticles derived from both plants could be used as a biocontrol agent of Tribolium castaneum, a pest of stored grain with great economic importance.
{"title":"Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles from Acacia cornigera and Annona purpurea and Their Insecticidal Effect against Tribolium castaneum","authors":"Rogelio Solorzano Toala, F. Gutiérrez-Miceli, B. Valdez-Salas, Ernesto Beltrán-Partida, D. González-Mendoza, Olivia Tzintzun-Camacho, O. Grimaldo-Juárez, Antobelli Basilio-Cortes","doi":"10.3390/reactions5020013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5020013","url":null,"abstract":"Diverse studies have showed that the pesticides can cause important damages in ecosystem. Therefore, the development of bio pesticides through nanotechnology can increase efficacy and limit the negative impacts in the environmental that traditionally seen through the use of chemical pesticides. Nanoparticles obtained from plants’ extracts can be used for effective pest management as a combined formulation of metal and some other organic material present in the plants. In the present study, our evaluated biosynthesis of nanoparticles of copper used two plant extracts (Acacia cornigera and Annona purpurea), and the Taguchi method was adopted for the synthesis optimization of the following variables of biosynthesis: temperature, pH, extract concentration, and reaction times to maximize the insecticidal activity on Tribolium castaneum. Our results showed that the nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Acacia cornigera and Anona purpurea extract under optimum conditions under Taguchi L 9 orthogonal design, where copper nanoparticles were obtained with a size of 63–153 nm for using A. cornigera extract, 87–193 nm for A. purpurea extract, and a zeta potential of 9.6 mV and −32.7 mV, respectively. The nanoparticles of copper from A. cornigera showed effective insecticidal activity against Tribolium castaneum, and 90% mortality compared to the 76.6% obtained from nanoparticles of copper from A. purpurea. The results suggest that Cu-nanoparticles derived from both plants could be used as a biocontrol agent of Tribolium castaneum, a pest of stored grain with great economic importance.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"250 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140730337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-20DOI: 10.3390/reactions5010012
A. P. Soares Dias, Bruna Rijo, M. F. Costa Pereira, R. Zăvoianu, O. Pavel
Bioethanol, which is currently produced commercially from a growing variety of renewable biomass and waste sources, is an appealing feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. The literature clearly shows that bioethanol is a versatile building block to be used in biorefineries. The ethanol conversion using several catalysts with acidic, basic, and redox characteristics results in a diverse assortment of high-value bioproducts. High-acidity tungsten zirconia-based catalysts are stated to compete with traditional zeolitic catalysts and can be employed in the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene, but for a low reaction temperature acetic acid is formed, which causes corrosion issues. WO3-ZrO2 (W/Zr = 1, atomic) catalysts modified with MoO3 were prepared by a sol-gel-like procedure and tested in a gas phase ethanol conversion in the presence of air. The citrate derived xerogels were annealed at 853 K for 12 h, allowing low surface area (<10 m2/g) materials with a Mo-W mixed-oxide-rich surface over tetragonal nanostructured zirconia. Catalysts with MoO3-loading produced mainly acetaldehyde, instead of ethylene, as a result of the high reducibility of Mo6+ when compared to W6+. During the reaction, the Mo6+ becomes partially reduced, but Mo6+/Mo5+ species are still active for methanol conversion with increased ethylene selectivity due to the high acidity of tetrahedral MOX species formed during the reaction. Adding water to ethanol, to simulate bioethanol, only leads to a slight inhibition in ethanol conversion over the MoO3/(WO3-ZrO2) catalysts. The results show that molybdenum oxide deposited on tungstated zirconia catalyst is active, with low sensitivity to water, for the valorization of bioethanol into high-value chemicals, such as ethylene and acetaldehyde, and whose selectivity can be tuned by changing the amount of MoO3 that is loaded. The MoO3/(WO3-ZrO2) catalysts prepared show catalytic behavior similar to that of noble metal-based catalysts reported in the literature for the dehydrogenation of bioethanol in high-value chemicals.
{"title":"Valorization of (Bio)Ethanol over MoO3/(WO3-ZrO2) Sol-Gel-like Catalysts","authors":"A. P. Soares Dias, Bruna Rijo, M. F. Costa Pereira, R. Zăvoianu, O. Pavel","doi":"10.3390/reactions5010012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5010012","url":null,"abstract":"Bioethanol, which is currently produced commercially from a growing variety of renewable biomass and waste sources, is an appealing feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. The literature clearly shows that bioethanol is a versatile building block to be used in biorefineries. The ethanol conversion using several catalysts with acidic, basic, and redox characteristics results in a diverse assortment of high-value bioproducts. High-acidity tungsten zirconia-based catalysts are stated to compete with traditional zeolitic catalysts and can be employed in the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene, but for a low reaction temperature acetic acid is formed, which causes corrosion issues. WO3-ZrO2 (W/Zr = 1, atomic) catalysts modified with MoO3 were prepared by a sol-gel-like procedure and tested in a gas phase ethanol conversion in the presence of air. The citrate derived xerogels were annealed at 853 K for 12 h, allowing low surface area (<10 m2/g) materials with a Mo-W mixed-oxide-rich surface over tetragonal nanostructured zirconia. Catalysts with MoO3-loading produced mainly acetaldehyde, instead of ethylene, as a result of the high reducibility of Mo6+ when compared to W6+. During the reaction, the Mo6+ becomes partially reduced, but Mo6+/Mo5+ species are still active for methanol conversion with increased ethylene selectivity due to the high acidity of tetrahedral MOX species formed during the reaction. Adding water to ethanol, to simulate bioethanol, only leads to a slight inhibition in ethanol conversion over the MoO3/(WO3-ZrO2) catalysts. The results show that molybdenum oxide deposited on tungstated zirconia catalyst is active, with low sensitivity to water, for the valorization of bioethanol into high-value chemicals, such as ethylene and acetaldehyde, and whose selectivity can be tuned by changing the amount of MoO3 that is loaded. The MoO3/(WO3-ZrO2) catalysts prepared show catalytic behavior similar to that of noble metal-based catalysts reported in the literature for the dehydrogenation of bioethanol in high-value chemicals.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"8 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140225561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-08DOI: 10.3390/reactions5010011
B. Varandas, Miguel Oliveira, Amadeu Borges
Computer simulation is a crucial element in the design of chemical processes. Although numerous commercial software options are widely recognized, the expense associated with acquiring and sustaining valid software licenses can be prohibitive. In contrast, open-source software, being freely available, provides an opportunity for individuals to study, review, and modify simulation models. This accessibility fosters technology transfer and facilitates knowledge dissemination, benefiting both academic and industrial domains. In this study, a thermodynamic equilibrium steady-state analysis of steam methane reforming using a natural-gas-like intake fuel was conducted. An analytical method was developed on the Microsoft Excel platform, utilizing the material balance equations system. The obtained results were compared to numerical methods employing the free-of-charge chemical process simulation software COCO and DWSIM. The investigation explored the influence of temperature, pressure, and steam-to-carbon ratio to determine optimal operating conditions. The findings suggest that higher temperatures and lower pressures are highly favorable for this process, considering that the choice of steam-to-carbon ratio depends on the desired conversion, with a potential disadvantage of coke formation at lower values. Consistent results were obtained through both analytical and numerical methods. Notably, simulations performed using DWSIM showed a deviation of 6.42% on average compared to COCO values. However, it was observed that the analytical method tended to overestimate the results by an average of 3.01% when compared to the simulated results from COCO, highlighting the limitations of this analytical approach.
{"title":"Analytical and Numerical Thermodynamic Equilibrium Simulations of Steam Methane Reforming: A Comparison Study","authors":"B. Varandas, Miguel Oliveira, Amadeu Borges","doi":"10.3390/reactions5010011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions5010011","url":null,"abstract":"Computer simulation is a crucial element in the design of chemical processes. Although numerous commercial software options are widely recognized, the expense associated with acquiring and sustaining valid software licenses can be prohibitive. In contrast, open-source software, being freely available, provides an opportunity for individuals to study, review, and modify simulation models. This accessibility fosters technology transfer and facilitates knowledge dissemination, benefiting both academic and industrial domains. In this study, a thermodynamic equilibrium steady-state analysis of steam methane reforming using a natural-gas-like intake fuel was conducted. An analytical method was developed on the Microsoft Excel platform, utilizing the material balance equations system. The obtained results were compared to numerical methods employing the free-of-charge chemical process simulation software COCO and DWSIM. The investigation explored the influence of temperature, pressure, and steam-to-carbon ratio to determine optimal operating conditions. The findings suggest that higher temperatures and lower pressures are highly favorable for this process, considering that the choice of steam-to-carbon ratio depends on the desired conversion, with a potential disadvantage of coke formation at lower values. Consistent results were obtained through both analytical and numerical methods. Notably, simulations performed using DWSIM showed a deviation of 6.42% on average compared to COCO values. However, it was observed that the analytical method tended to overestimate the results by an average of 3.01% when compared to the simulated results from COCO, highlighting the limitations of this analytical approach.","PeriodicalId":20873,"journal":{"name":"Reactions","volume":"44 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140076957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}