{"title":"Green ammonia production via a catalytic membrane reactor: Proof of concept through experiments and simulations","authors":"Wei-Wei Yan, Norihiro Moriyama, Hiroki Nagasawa, Masakoto Kanezashi, Toshinori Tsuru","doi":"10.1002/aic.18863","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18863","url":null,"abstract":"Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) plays a vital role in fertilizer production, but an energy-saving NH<sub>3</sub> production process compared to the Haber–Bosch process is urgently being developed. A catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) that integrates the reaction with a Ru (10 wt%)/Cs/MgO catalyst and the membrane separation with a sulfonated (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) membrane in one unit was used for green NH<sub>3</sub> production at 300°C and 200–300 kPa. Consequently, the NH<sub>3</sub> mole fraction was greatly increased to 0.031–0.046 in the permeate side of the membrane, which is 10 times higher than 0.0028–0.0039 in a packed bed reactor, together with an improved conversion from ~0.5% to 6%–9%. Process simulation of the CMR was formulated, confirming that the simulated performance agreed with experiments. Process simulation and experimental results show that increasing the feed pressure and flow rate would decrease the NH<sub>3</sub> molar fraction in the permeate side of the membrane and conversion, since high pressures promote H<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub> permeation more than NH<sub>3</sub>.","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143837172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIChE JournalPub Date : 2025-04-15DOI: 10.1002/aic.18858
Chengmin Gui, Minghao Song, Qinghua Liu, Dong Xiang, Ping Lu, Sophie Fourmentin, Chao Hua, Zhigang Lei
{"title":"Rational screening of deep eutectic solvents for the removal of halogenated volatile organic compounds","authors":"Chengmin Gui, Minghao Song, Qinghua Liu, Dong Xiang, Ping Lu, Sophie Fourmentin, Chao Hua, Zhigang Lei","doi":"10.1002/aic.18858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18858","url":null,"abstract":"A novel screening method integrating theoretical calculations with experimental validation was proposed to select deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the highly efficient removal of halogenated volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) from exhaust gas. 1,2-Dichloroethane and dibromomethane were used to evaluate the reliability of this screening method. Following a meticulous screening process, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) and levulinic acid (Lev) were identified as the hydrogen bond acceptor and donor, respectively, for the preparation of the DES TEAC–Lev (1:2). The TEAC–Lev (1:2) exhibited favorable viscosity and thermal stability, ensuring its outstanding recyclability over multiple absorption–desorption cycles. The absorption ratios of 1,2-dichloroethane and dibromomethane using the prepared DESs were both greater than 98.5%. The microscopic absorption mechanism indicates that the excellent absorption performance of TEAC–Lev (1:2) is mainly attributed to hydrogen bond interactions between the chlorine atoms and HVOCs, as well as between Lev and HVOCs.","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143831997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Temperature optimal control and entropy–enthalpy compensation phenomenon in the CO2 capture with DEA/PEG200 as absorbent","authors":"Zhongxiao Sun, Zhiyong Xu, Jinyu Wang, Xiandong Hao, Wenbo Zhao, Jianming Pan","doi":"10.1002/aic.18857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18857","url":null,"abstract":"The traditional chemical absorption method using alkanolamine aqueous solution for carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) capture suffers from high volatility and high energy consumption for regeneration. In the present work, a mixed absorbent comprising diethanolamine (DEA) and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200) with high thermal stability and low specific heat capacity was designed for CO<sub>2</sub> absorption. Absorption capacity was measured at different temperatures and pressures; the first-order kinetic and bimolecular reaction thermodynamic models were also developed, and relative parameters were obtained. An optimal simulation of the absorption process was carried out. Based on the optimal control (OC) theory and kinetic parameters, the optimal absorption temperature of the absorption process at a certain fixed time was obtained, which decreases with the increase of time. Moreover, the optimal absorption temperature curve can further enhance the absorption capacity. Furthermore, an entropy–enthalpy compensation phenomenon was found for the capture of CO<sub>2</sub> with different absorbents.","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143832278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Colorful phase change material with intrinsic flexibility for personal thermal management","authors":"Caishuo Hu, Zhaoying Jia, Linhai Zhu, Yuang Zhang, Shufen Zhang, Bingtao Tang","doi":"10.1002/aic.18856","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18856","url":null,"abstract":"Personal thermal management (PTM) technology, which predominantly utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) has emerged as an effective strategy for mitigating thermal stress. However, how to impart intrinsic flexibility and vibrant colors to meet practical application needs remains a topic that requires further research and effort. In this thesis, a novel intrinsically flexible PCM with notable shape stability, vivid and eye-catching colors for PTM was synthesized. The flexible PCMs demonstrate a high phase change enthalpy (102.1 J/g), while maintaining thermal stability over 100 cycles. In addition, they can chemically bond with dye molecules, displaying vivid colors with extremely low dye usage (0.05 wt%). The integration of PCMs with fabrics using a hot press method produces a fabric that closely conforms to the human body and exhibits strong colorfastness, demonstrating significant potential for thermal management in specialized garments.","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143832226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIChE JournalPub Date : 2025-04-15DOI: 10.1002/aic.18862
Yue Zhang, Rongrong Zhang, Shuzhen Lyu, Xiangwei Ren, Guozhu Liu, Li Wang
{"title":"Highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles supported on SBA-15@derived C from RF resin for hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone","authors":"Yue Zhang, Rongrong Zhang, Shuzhen Lyu, Xiangwei Ren, Guozhu Liu, Li Wang","doi":"10.1002/aic.18862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18862","url":null,"abstract":"Supported Pd-based nanoparticles are widely regarded as the most effective catalysts for 2-ethylthraquinone hydrogenation. Herein, the heteroenergetic dual-supports were prepared by coating resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin on mesoporous SBA-15 to regulate the growth and surface microenvironment of Pd. After calcination and reduction, phenolic hydroxyl groups in the residual carbon layer effectively reduced the Pd particle size, induced the formation of adjacent Pd<sup>0</sup>–Pd<sup>δ+</sup>, and created hydrophobicity. Density functional theory calculations revealed that Pd atoms preferentially interact with OH on C, rather than with OH on SBA-15, providing an intrinsic driving force for smaller Pd particle size. The mass ratio of RF to SBA-15 was shown to be a crucial parameter affecting the catalytic performance. At the ratio of 4 (carbon content of 2.02%) the catalyst possesses the smallest Pd particles, 30% Pd<sup>δ+</sup> proportion, and higher hydrophobicity, achieving the best catalytic performance, with an activity of 0.57 molH<sub>2</sub>·gPd<sup>−1</sup>·min<sup>−1</sup> and a selectivity of 95.3%.","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"108 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143832228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIChE JournalPub Date : 2025-04-11DOI: 10.1002/aic.18853
Ikki Horiguchi, Keisuke Shima, Yasunori Okano
{"title":"Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for high-resolutional prediction of shear stress on cells in suspension culture","authors":"Ikki Horiguchi, Keisuke Shima, Yasunori Okano","doi":"10.1002/aic.18853","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aic.18853","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The effect of shear stress on cell behaviors should be considered for designing the suspension culture of mammalian cells. Computational flow dynamics (CFD) is a promising tool for estimating shear stress on cells, but the accuracy is limited due to resolution limitations. In this research, we applied physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for the high-resolution estimation of shear and drag stress on the cells in a swirling suspension culture. PINNs could complement the flow in the mesh and estimate the shear and drag stresses on the surface of cell particles smaller than the mesh size. The estimated shear and drag stress was lower than that from CFD calculation, and the shear stress depended on the non-dimensional number such as the Froude number. This approach could solve the limitation of the resolution of CFD for estimation of shear stress on the cells and is helpful to develop the large-scale suspension culture.</p>","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"71 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aic.18853","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mo‐based ionic liquid as dispersive precursor for effective hydrodeoxygenation of stearic acid: Mechanism and kinetics","authors":"Leilian Shi, Weihao Chen, Yongde Ma, Hongwei Zhang, Zhenping Cai, Yanning Cao, Kuan Huang, Lilong Jiang","doi":"10.1002/aic.18859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18859","url":null,"abstract":"In the present work, the selective hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) performance of stearic acid over <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> catalysts produced from various Mo precursors was evaluated. Notably, the <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> catalyst generated from [N<jats:sub>8881</jats:sub>]<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>MoO<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>—a Mo‐based ionic liquid (IL) with oil‐soluble property—achieves up to 99.9% of stearic acid conversion with the HDO product octadecane yield of 97.5% at 300°C, 8 MPa, and 6 h. The activity of [N<jats:sub>8881</jats:sub>]<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>MoO<jats:sub>4</jats:sub> for catalyzing the selective HDO reaction is much better than commercial precursors like Mo(CO)<jats:sub>6</jats:sub> and (NH<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>)<jats:sub>6</jats:sub>Mo<jats:sub>7</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>24</jats:sub>. The <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> catalysts were thoroughly characterized and analyzed to elucidate the experimental results. Moreover, the reaction pathway of stearic acid was proposed according to the product distribution, and the relative kinetic parameters were also calculated and discussed. The results indicate that applying Mo‐based IL as the precursor to generate <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> catalyst for the selective HDO of biolipids is highly interesting and desired.","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143819344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIChE JournalPub Date : 2025-04-10DOI: 10.1002/aic.18851
Zhijun Zhang, Zhe Lang, Gong Chen, Mingyue Fang, Hang Zhou, Weichang Zhou
{"title":"Intelligent process development — An in-line Raman-assisted automatic cell culture process development platform","authors":"Zhijun Zhang, Zhe Lang, Gong Chen, Mingyue Fang, Hang Zhou, Weichang Zhou","doi":"10.1002/aic.18851","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aic.18851","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In the competitive biopharmaceutical industry, rapid cell culture process development is crucial for establishing a high-yield bioprocess. Traditional clone selection and process optimization methods are laborious and time-consuming due to multiple iterative rounds. To enhance efficiency, real-time metabolite monitoring and parameter control are vital. We propose an intelligent process development (IPD) platform utilizing Raman spectroscopy-based process analytical technology (PAT) for real-time monitoring and feedback control. The IPD platform automates optimization, incorporating a cell-specific growth rate (<i>μ</i>)-based temperature downshifting strategy and a dynamic feeding approach. Compared to traditional fed-batch (TFB), the IPD strategy increased the clone's titer by 44% (1490 vs. 1034 mg/L). To meet large-scale manufacturing demands, we adapted the Raman-based IPD process into a TFB process with comparable titer, compatible with facilities lacking PAT or automation. This approach was validated with an alternative clone, demonstrating the IPD's ability to enhance productivity through a single automated round, accelerating development.</p>","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"71 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143813943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIChE JournalPub Date : 2025-04-09DOI: 10.1002/aic.18850
Min Zhou, Xiaoyong Du, Thangaraj Thiruppathiraja, Weilin Li, Zheyang Liu, Xinyan Xiao, Wanjun Wang, Huaming Li, Weidong Shi, Zhifeng Jiang
{"title":"Insight into self-dissociation of poly(heptazine imide) nanosheets enables boosted CO2 photoreduction","authors":"Min Zhou, Xiaoyong Du, Thangaraj Thiruppathiraja, Weilin Li, Zheyang Liu, Xinyan Xiao, Wanjun Wang, Huaming Li, Weidong Shi, Zhifeng Jiang","doi":"10.1002/aic.18850","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aic.18850","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Doping triazine units over poly(heptazine imide) (PHI) nanosheets outperforms higher CO<sub>2</sub> reduction efficiency than the individual counterparts. Herein, we report a molten salt-steam thermal-assisted approach of coupling KCl and Mg(OH)<sub>2</sub> for designing highly efficient triazine-doped PHI (TPHI) in which the n-type dopant of the triazine unit is produced from the self-dissociation of the heptazine. The developed TPHI demonstrates the fine-tuned hydrophilicity, enhanced electron transportation, and promoted reductive ability, evidenced by contact angle, photoelectrochemical, femtosecond transient absorption, surface photovoltage tests, energy band evaluation, and corresponding calculations. The optimized TPHI sample facilitates CO generation (25.1 μmol h<sup>−1</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) through the photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction under solar-simulated light irradiation. Our insight enables a simple strategy for molecular-level electron manipulations in highly effective polymeric photocatalysts using n-dopant self-doping engineering.</p>","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"71 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143805982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIChE JournalPub Date : 2025-04-09DOI: 10.1002/aic.18752
Zhongzhe Wei, Songtao Huang, Jiayuan Li, Yao Lv, Zihao Yao, Guanglu Dong, Molin Xia, Zhixiang Yang, Ming Jiang, Sheng Dai, Jianguo Wang
{"title":"Reaction sites optimization mediated by ligand coverage for semi-hydrogenation of different alkynes","authors":"Zhongzhe Wei, Songtao Huang, Jiayuan Li, Yao Lv, Zihao Yao, Guanglu Dong, Molin Xia, Zhixiang Yang, Ming Jiang, Sheng Dai, Jianguo Wang","doi":"10.1002/aic.18752","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aic.18752","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Precise regulation of catalysts active sites is the key to optimizing activity. In this work, a strategy for modulating alkyne adsorption sites by modifying the support is proposed. A series of Pd/ZSM-5@PPh<sub>3</sub>-X with different coverage of triphenylphosphine (PPh<sub>3</sub>) were synthesized. Pd/ZSM-5@PPh<sub>3</sub>-X enable efficient semi-hydrogenation of alkynes under mild conditions. Specifically, the catalyst with lower surface ligand coverage (Pd/ZSM-5@PPh<sub>3</sub>-2) exhibits a preference for the hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, while the catalyst with higher ligand coverage (Pd/ZSM-5@PPh<sub>3</sub>-10) favors the conversion of phenylacetylene. Both catalysts maintain an alkene selectivity exceeding 94%. Comprehensive experimental, characterization, and computational analyses revealed that for 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, which adsorbs on the palladium surface, the PPh<sub>3</sub> inhibits the strong adsorption of alkynes, thereby preventing catalyst self-poisoning. Conversely, the high PPh<sub>3</sub> coverage redirects the adsorption site of phenylacetylene to the support surface, and the enhanced hydrogen spillover accelerates the reaction. This ligand-modulated strategy offers guidance for the rational design of chemoselective catalysts.</p>","PeriodicalId":120,"journal":{"name":"AIChE Journal","volume":"71 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143805875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}