Overview

The IChemE Catalysis Special Interest Group, in collaboration with University College London (UCL), are organising a one-day event focusing on catalysis research that spans the area from reaction kinetics to transport processes in catalysts and reactors, from a theoretical as well as experimental perspective.

Catalysis is a key technology in the chemical, energy and environmental sectors. It helps in protecting the environment, reducing energy consumption and waste products, and it will be crucial for building an emerging, sustainable chemicals sector.  An integrated approach that encompasses the various stages, from the selection of an appropriate catalyst to the use in a catalytic manufacturing process, can be more effective, as it unites all aspects of the process simultaneously and maintains links between the catalyst, the reactor and the final process. Optimisation of the hierarchical catalyst from the nanoscale upwards, alongside the macroscale catalytic reactor design, requires a holistic view, which can be achieved by bringing together chemists and chemical engineers, and a range of theoretical and experimental tools.

This one-day event will provide a unique platform for the UK catalysis community to share and learn the recent developments on kinetic and transport aspects that aid in the design of catalysts and catalytic reactors. Eight presentations from renowned experts in the field and a poster session will aim to disseminate latest scientific progress and stimulate discussion on new ideas and collaboration.

PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early career academics, and industrial partners are particularly encouraged to attend this event. The event will be an excellent opportunity for chemists and chemical engineers working on catalysis to discuss their work, and network in an informal, friendly setting.

Speakers

We have assembled a group of speakers with diverse expertise, from academia and industry, from the UK and abroad:

Xiaolei Fan - University of Manchester

Structured foam catalysts for process intensification of continuous flow catalysis.

Andrew Sederman - University of Cambridge

How Can Operando Magnetic Resonance Aid Modelling of Catalytic Systems?

Ludovic Briquet - Johnson Matthey

Using first-principle microkinetic to obtain quality measures for materials screening of catalysts.

Matteo Maestri - Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Prediction of morphological changes of catalyst materials for structure-dependent-microkinetic analysis.

Frans Muller - University of Leeds

A detailed analysis of the mass transfer and kinetics of heterogeneously catalysed styrene hydrogenation is S-L-G reactors.

Alexander O'Malley - Cardiff University

Neutron scattering and molecular modelling studies of methanol behaviour in zeolite catalysts.

Joris Thybaut - University of Ghent, Belgium

Microkinetic model construction employing strategically acquired data.

Sam Wilkinson - PSE

Multiphase catalytic reactors: Developing process understanding from lab to plant through digital design.

The material presented 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.