Catalysis and catalytic processes (LCCP)

The Laboratory of Catalysis and Catalytic Processes (LCCP) is a research group at the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano that pioneered multidisciplinary research in the science and engineering of heterogeneous catalysis. In the last decades, the research activity of the group has gradually expanded from applications in industrial chemistry to novel fields associated with energy conversion, environmental protection and sustainable chemical production.

Starting from a broad background in heterogeneous catalysis and chemical reaction engineering, LCCP developed a comprehensive multidisciplinary multiscale approach. This approach starts from the control of the catalyst properties at the nanoparticle level (active sites and porosity) achieved by adequate preparation and characterization techniques (morphological, structural, bulk and surface physico-chemical characterization) combined with studies of the surface reactivity, reaction mechanism and kinetics studies performed under steady state and transient conditions. Such investigations are coupled with surface characterization by ex-situ and in-operando techniques at a molecular level (e.g., Raman, IR).

LCCP has also developed a deep knowledge in the techniques for the preparation of powdered (e.g., via impregnation and coprecipitation) and structured catalysts (e.g., extrusion of ceramic honeycombs, deposition via washcoating or spraying of active catalyst layers onto structured supports of different geometries and materials). At the support level, LCCP has a long experience in assessment of heat, mass and momentum transfer properties of structured catalysts which are governed by the peculiar geometrical and hydrodynamics features. LCCP has also a wide capability of testing catalytic reactors ranging from small laboratory to pilot scale covering operating conditions up to 1000 °C and 100 bar.

LCCP has also a consolidated background in the multiscale modeling of catalytic processes by adopting a first-principles approach based on the fundamental governing equations at each scale (e.g., detailed mean-field microkinetic modeling based on electronic structure theory calculations, kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations and Navier–Stokes equations at the macroscale).

LCCP has an expertise in development of steady state and transient numerical models based on macroscopic reactor models and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), implementing advanced numerical methods, complex kinetics and detailed description of transport phenomena at the different levels of scale.

LCCP has applied such approach to a wide spectrum of catalytic applications which cover energy conversion processes for fixed and mobile sources, upstream treatment and production of fuels, novel combustion technologies and downstream after-treatment of the exhausts. LCCP has demonstrated the potential of structured catalytic supports for the intensification of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis for the production of diesel fuel. LCCP is also working extensively in developing novel processes for H2 production (e.g. steam reforming of alcohols, catalytic partial oxidation, photochemical water splitting) and towards the intensification of methane steam reforming by means of conductive structured supports or low-carbon technologies based on the direct electric heating of the catalyst support. LCCP has investigated also catalytic activation of CO2 to fuel and chemicals by detailed analysis of Dry Reforming and Reverse Water Gas Shift processes and CO2 methanation.

LCCP has investigated a wide range of processes in the field of exhaust after-treatment, which cover different applications and types of emissions. The group has a strong background in the SCR DeNOx process for fixed power plants which has been more recently re-focused on mobile applications. LCCP has also widely investigated other DeNOx technologies such as the NOx storage-reduction systems and the simultaneous abatement of NOx and soot emissions along with the DNPR concept.