A Short Course
APPLICATIONS OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS

Course Directors

We are pleased to announce
the next presentation of our short course for May 12-16, 2008.
Click here for details

This course is organized to match the needs of chemists and chemical engineers entering some phase of the practice of heterogeneous catalysis. However, it is equally suited to individuals who are perienced in certain areas but wish to acquire an overview of the field. We do not emphasize research methodology but concentrate on applications to real problems.

The course has been given fifty-nine times in Houston since 1971, fifteen times at various locations in Europe, and adapted many times for in-house courses at major companies. Many companies routinely send their personnel to us for training, a fact that testifies to the success of the course.

Course Description

Successful applications of the principles of catalysis to process design require a combination of physics, chemistry and engineering, together with considerable state-of-the-art “know-how”. Contemporary catalysis has made significant progress in recent years toward the scientific design of optimum catalyst systems for specific process requirements. The purpose of this course is to cover current knowledge for both the researcher in catalysis and the engineer interested in process optimization. It will serve as a review for those knowledgeable in the subject and as an introduction to newcomers to the field.

The course covers how to

• select,
• prepare,
• characterize,
• test, and
• use a catalyst.

The nature of catalytic components, such as supports, active materials and promoters, is
discussed in detail from the perspective of process applications. Prediction of catalytic properties and design of specific systems are treated with reference to modern theories of catalysis and the correlations of kinetic properties. Guidelines for selecting potential catalytic “candidates” for target processes are given. Laboratory and commercial methods of catalyst preparation are reviewed, with emphasis on proven process catalysts.

Modern instrumental methods for the characterization of catalyst physical and chemical properties are covered, especially techniques for measurement of surface areas, pore properties, diffusivities, crystallite sizes, acidities, etc. Catalytic kinetics, both chemical and diffusional are considered, and the relationship of surface mechanisms to catalyst properties fully outlined.

The course then treats the design and construction of experimental reactors used to test
catalytic properties, together with techniques for modeling process reactors. Included are catalyst deactivation and regeneration.

Finally, several case histories are used to demonstrate how laboratory catalysts are
scaled-up to industrial processes. Critical aspects are emphasized, such as modeling, parametric sensitivity, stability and regeneration.

Fee

The registration fee is $1,250, which includes a complete set of notes, coffee breaks, an
introductory lunch. Payment may be made with a personal or company check, credit card or we can send an invoice.

Registration

Please contact Ms. Pat Cooks, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of
Houston (phone: 713 743 4300; fax: 713 743 4323; e-mail: patcooks@uh.edu) or the co-directors for registration information.

Location

The course will be held in room S102D in the Cullen College of Engineering. Instructions for transportation to the University of Houston and to the College will be sent to registrants. Hotel accommodations Hotel accommodation is available at the University Hilton Hotel on campus. Details will be sent to registrants. Recommendations for other local hotels with arranged discounts will be mailed on request.

Hotel accommodations

Schedule

Monday

Introduction to catalysis (J. T. Richardson)
Adsorption and kinetics (J. W. Hightower)

Tuesday

Diffusion in catalysis (D. Luss)
Catalytic materials – supports (J. T. Richardson)

Wednesday

Catalytic materials – active components (J. T. Richardson)
Catalyst deactivation (D. Luss)

Thursday

Catalyst characterization (J. W. Hightower)
Reactor modeling (D. Luss)

Friday

Industrial catalytic processes (V. W. Weekman, Jr.)
Examples of catalytic process development (V. W. Weekman, Jr.)

Lecturers

James T. Richardson, Ph.D. (Rice University)
Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston

Dr. Richardson has been with the University of Houston since 1969, following 13 years with Exxon Research and Engineering. His specialties include design of catalytic materials and processes. He is past chairman and cofounder of the S. W. Catalysis Society, an active consultant to the petroleum and gas industry, and author of a popular book, “Principles of Catalyst Development”.

Joe W. Hightower, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins)
Emeritus Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University

Dr. Hightower joined Rice University in 1967, after several postdoctoral appointments at leading catalysis centers, and is also past chairman and cofounder of the S. W. Catalysis Society. His principal research interests are catalytic reaction mechanisms and surface phenomena. He was the recipient of the ACS National Award in Petroleum Chemistry and is well-known for his early work on exhaust-control devices.

Dan Luss , Ph.D. (Minnesota)
Cullen Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston

Dr. Luss joined the University of Houston in 1967 and specializes in chemical reaction engineering. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the recipient of the AIChE Allan P. Colburn, Professional Progress, Wilhelm and Founders Awards and the ASEE Curtis McGraw Award. He is an experienced consultant to industry in reaction-engineering problems.

Vern W. Weekman, Jr., Ph.D. (Purdue)
Industrial Professor of Chemical Engineering, Princeton University

Dr. Weekman is retired from Mobil, where he was Director of the Central Research Laboratories. In 1982 he was recipient of the AIChE Wilhelm Award and received the Amundson Award in Reaction Engineering in 2004. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1985 and served as president of the AIChE in 1998. He now teaches at Princeton University. His research interests include applied kinetics, catalysis, process simulation and control.

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