Microwave Augmented Reduction Using Hydrogen Enriched Methane

使用富氢甲烷进行微波强化还原

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04698
• 负责人: Pickles, Christopher
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=713904
• 关键词: Microwave; Augmented; Reduction; Using; Hydrogen

The extractive metallurgy industry generates over five percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of the increasing concern for climate change, this industry is moving towards more sustainable operating practices with regards to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Microwave processing is a relatively new technique, which is being studied for application in mineral processing and metallurgical extraction. In the last decade, it has been shown that microwave heating has a number of potential advantages for heating materials of interest in pyrometallurgical processes, in particular metal oxides. It can provide volumetric, rapid and selective heating and also the electrical energy source can be relatively clean. Additionally in comparison to fossil fuels, the amounts of off--gases, carbon dioxide and dust can be reduced. Thus, it would be advantageous to develop a reduction process which can utilize these potential heating characteristics for improved energy efficiency. In the short term, the combination of renewable energy resources with a microwave augmented existing energy source and a more environmentally friendly reductant may be part of a transitional solution. The utilization of natural gas (95% methane) as a reducing agent, which has less of an environmental impact and can also be potentially very reactive, would be advantageous. Renewable energy sources can be utilized to produce the microwaves and to manufacture hydrogen to add to methane. One approach to deal with these environmental issues is to investigate alternative energy sources and reducing agents in order to improve the energy efficiency and to reduce the carbon footprint. In this regard, it is proposed to continue research on the utilization of microwaves for metal extraction and focus on the utilization of methane as a reducing agent for metal oxides. This will involve a three-pronged methodology using the following methane-based reducing agents: (1) essentially pure methane or natural gas, (2) hydrogen-enriched methane or natural gas (HENG) and (3) reactive carbon/adsorbed carbon produced from the decomposition of methane. Microwave heating alone is relatively inefficient due to the energy losses during the conversion of electricity to microwaves in the magnetron. It is proposed to combine microwaves with a conventional heating source, in a microwave augmented heating process with an overall improved efficiency. Also, microwaves may catalyze the decomposition of methane. Thus, the overall objective of this research is to combine the relatively new microwave heating technology together with the somewhat underutilized potential of methane as a reducing agent and in particular produce carbon in a very reactive form. This arrangement could lead to improved energy efficiencies, significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduced impact of pyrometallurgical processes on the environment. This would of benefit to both the industry and society.

采掘冶金行业产生的温室气体排放量占温室气体排放总量的百分之五以上。由于人们对气候变化的日益关注，该行业正在朝着能源效率和环境管理方面更加可持续的运营实践发展。微波加工是一项相对较新的技术，正在研究其在矿物加工和冶金提取中的应用。在过去的十年中，事实证明，微波加热对于加热火法冶金工艺中感兴趣的材料（特别是金属氧化物）具有许多潜在的优势。它可以提供体积、快速、选择性的加热，并且电能来源可以相对清洁。此外，与化石燃料相比，废气、二氧化碳和灰尘的量也可以减少。因此，开发一种可以利用这些潜在的加热特性来提高能量效率的还原方法将是有利的。在短期内，可再生能源与微波增强现有能源和更环保的还原剂的结合可能是过渡解决方案的一部分。使用天然气（95% 甲烷）作为还原剂是有利的，它对环境的影响较小，而且可能具有很高的反应性。可再生能源可用于产生微波和制造氢气以添加到甲烷中。 解决这些环境问题的一种方法是研究替代能源和还原剂，以提高能源效率并减少碳足迹。对此，建议继续研究利用微波提取金属，并重点研究利用甲烷作为金属氧化物的还原剂。这将涉及使用以下甲烷还原剂的三管齐下的方法：（1）本质上纯的甲烷或天然气，（2）富氢甲烷或天然气（HENG）和（3）产生的活性碳/吸附碳来自甲烷的分解。由于磁控管中将电能转换为微波期间的能量损失，单独使用微波加热的效率相对较低。建议在微波增强加热过程中将微波与传统加热源相结合，从而整体提高效率。此外，微波可以催化甲烷的分解。因此，这项研究的总体目标是将相对较新的微波加热技术与甲烷作为还原剂的未充分利用的潜力结合起来，特别是以非常活泼的形式产生碳。这种安排可以提高能源效率，显着减少温室气体排放，并减少火法冶金过程对环境的影响。这对行业和社会都有好处。