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Thermally Stable Catalysts for Methane Combustion--TDA Research, Inc., 12345 West 52nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-1917; 303-940-2301
Dr. David T. Wickham, Principal Investigator
Mr. Michael E. Karpuk, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82902
Amount: $100,000
Catalytic combustion is a very promising technology for reducing NOx emissions from gas turbine power generators. Its primary difficulty is that the catalysts must be able to withstand extremely high temperatures, up to 1500°C. Hexaaluminates are compounds that have potential to be suitable catalysts, but their activities are still too low and they are difficult to synthesize. A fundamentally different route has been developed for the production of high surface area hexaaluminate catalysts. This method would allow for the preparation of many compounds with well-controlled stoichiometries for testing. In Phase I, many combinations of bimetallic hexaluminates will be synthesized and tested for methane oxidation activity. The testing will utilize a previously developed, high throughout catalysts testing apparatus, which has the capability to test up to 12 samples per run. Experimental results will be used to guide subsequent catalyst compositions. The most active catalysts will be tested to measure their thermal stability.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The use of a combustion catalyst to control NOx would allow power generators to meet NOx emission standards without installing costly post combustion treatment. This should result in significant capital and operational cost savings.