Automotive Catalytic Reaction Engineering Experiment

Authors

  • R.P. Hesketh Rowan University
  • D. Bosak Rowan University
  • L. Kline Rowan University

Abstract

A unique catalytic oxidation experiment is presented to illustrate basic concepts of chemical reaction engineering.  This experiment is appropriate for a traditional chemical reaction engineering course and can be extended to a unit operations laboratory.  The experiment demonstrates catalytic reactor performance, reaction rate determination, heat and mass transfer rates, and environmental applicatioon of reactors.  A major advantage of this experiment is that it does not have costly product and reactant disposal problems.  The reactants are propane and air and the products are primarily carbon dioxide and water.  These gases are easily disposed of using a common vent system.  This experiment is also cost effective and inexpensive to run, since the primary reactant is propane and air.

Author Biographies

R.P. Hesketh, Rowan University

Robert Hesketh is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University. He received his BS in 1982 from the University of Illinois and his PhD from the University of Delaware in 1987. After his PhD he conducted research at the University of Cambridge, England. His teaching and research interests are in reaction engineering, freshman engineering, and separations.

D. Bosak, Rowan University

Dan Bosak and Luke Kline are junior chemical engineering students at Rowan University. They have worked over the past two years as research assistants for the department and a National Science Foundation Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop. In addition to full-time studies, both are chemical operators on the weekends for the precious metal division of Johnson Matthey.

L. Kline, Rowan University

Dan Bosak and Luke Kline are junior chemical engineering students at Rowan University. They have worked over the past two years as research assistants for the department and a National Science Foundation Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop. In addition to full-time studies, both are chemical operators on the weekends for the precious metal division of Johnson Matthey.

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Published

2000-07-01

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Manuscripts