Events

Methane is the primary feedstock for hydrogen production, accomplished by catalytic steam methane reforming (SMR). But methane is also a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), so its emission to the atmosphere must be minimized by catalytic methane oxidation. I describe three catalytic reaction engineering solutions that address current challenges in methane conversion and abatement.

Electrified SMR: Joule heating of catalysts supported on metallic substrates is shown to enhance the methane conversion rate. Using Ni/ZrO₂-coated FeCrAl wire as the model catalyst, high methane conversion is achieved and for a range of conditions exceeds that obtained by conventional heating. The findings suggest an electrocatalytic mechanism is responsible. Reactor designs that enable distributed syngas production with renewable electricity are described.

Methane Oxidation: More active catalysts are needed to oxidize methane in the exhaust of natural gas engines and point sources. We describe study of lean and rich methane oxidation on Pt/Pd/Al₂O₃ coated monoliths. Steady state experiments under rich conditions show evidence of rate multiplicity and co-existing, spatially nonuniform states. Feed modulation experiments under net rich and lean condition reveal rate enhancement. The underlying kinetic and transport mechanisms responsible for these interesting effects and their implications are presented.   

Methane Oxidative Bi-Reforming: Coupled methane oxidation and reforming to syngas is a promising approach to monetize a power plant waste stream while reducing the emissions of two GHGs. Spatially resolved measurements elucidate the coupled exothermic and endothermic reaction systems. Reactor concepts that utilize the heat generated by the oxidation to drive the endothermic reforming are described.

Mike Harold is the Cullen Engineering Professor in the William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Houston (UH).  He is also Assistant Vice President of Intellectual Property and Industrial Engagement at UH. With expertise in catalysis and reaction engineering, Harold has served as advisor of 40 doctoral students, authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers and chapters, and presented 135 invited lectures.  Through probing experiments and modeling spanning the molecular to reactor scales, Harold has advanced the understanding of fundamental aspects of reaction systems while providing useful guidance to practitioners. His research on multi-functional reactors and catalysts has led to reduced emissions and byproduct formation, and to more intensive and safer chemical reactors. Harold received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Penn State and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. In 1985 he joined the Chemical Engineering Dept.  at University of Massachusetts where he became Associate Professor. In 1993 Harold joined DuPont Company, where he held technical and managerial positions. In 2000 Harold became the Dow Chair Professor and Department Chair at UH, a position he held in two non-consecutive terms for 16 years. Harold served as Editor-in-Chief of the AIChE Journal from 2012 through 2021, Chair of the AIChE Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division in 1999 and 2022, and President of ISCRE Inc. in 2017-18. His honors include the R. H. Wilhelm Award from AIChE in 2023, the Award for Excellence in Applied Catalysis from the Southwest Catalysis Society in 2019, AIChE Fellow in 2014, and the UH Ester Farfel Award in 2013.