SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed work involves application of supported molten salt catalysis to the catalytic endothermic dehydrogenation of methanol. The catalysts of interest include eutectics composed of cu(+1) salts with homogeneously dispersed zn(+2) salts or heterogeneously dispersed zno. In addition, the study will include evaluation of heterogeneous dispersions of metallic palladium in binary and ternary eutectics involving alkali metal chlorides and hydroxides. The supports to be evaluated are silica, alumina, and monolith or honeycomb supports having silica oralumina surfaces. The methodology used will permit evaluation of theinfluence of various systematic and operational parameters on catalytic activity, rates of competing side reactions, and the rate of catalyst deactivation. The objectives will involve determination of the conditions required for optimal utilization of the chemical heat sinks assocaited with methanol dehydrogenation.

The proposed work involves development of new catalysts for use in the endothermic dehydrogenation of methanol, a fuel which has potential for use in hypersonic aircraft. Methanol is of interest because the large endotherm arising from its dehydrogenation offers high cooling capacity which is necessary during hypersonic flight. The work will pursue use of supported molten salt catalysts which were found during Phase I studied to be very active in the endothermic dehydrogenation of methanol. The objective of the project is to find the catalyst composition and the operating conditions which optimize methanol conversion and selectivity for formation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The strategy involves rational preparation of catalyst formulations, similar to those identified in Phase I, followed by testing under controlled operating conditions. The catalyst testing will involve characterization of catalytic activity and measurement of the endotherm (cooling capacity) during systematic variation of temperature, pressure, and liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV). The catalyst stability will be assessed by testing at temperatures greater than 1000 deg F and at LHSV up to 500 h(-1). This project also contains Phase II efforts for "supported molten salt catalysis of endothermic reaction of high energy-density aviation fuels".