Process intensification by combination of activated carbon supported catalysts and alternative energy sources

Résumé

Activated carbons are well known for their catalytic properties and for being used as a catalyst support in heterogeneous catalysis. Activated carbons possess most of the desired properties of a catalyst support; inertness towards unwanted reactions, stability under regeneration and reaction conditions, suitable mechanical properties, tunable surface area, porosity, and the possibility of being manufactured in different size and shape. On the other hand, the intensification of chemical transformations into valuable products through microwave and ultrasound activation has attracted particular attention in chemical industries in recent decades. Industrial chemical transformations are conventionally carried out by conductive heating by using an external heat source; a slow and inefficient way of transferring energy into the system. On the contrary, microwave irradiation and ultrasound are efficient ways of activating chemical systems. The short reaction time and expanded reaction range offered by microwave and ultrasound activation are appropriate in the development of new strategies for chemical transformations in industrial chemistry. In addition, the combination of activated carbon supported catalysts and microwave and ultrasound activation provides a peculiar activity and selectivity not reproducible under conventional thermal activation in a discontinuous batch reactor