We work broadly in catalytic microreactors and adsorbers used in energy applications. Experimentally, we focus on gas-solid reactors: Gas-phase reactants and products, and solid catalyst / adsorbent. The adsorption experiments are often run at low temperatures, whereas we work with high temperature systems for catalytic reactions. Here is a list of facilities in our lab.
High pressure gravimetric adsorption setup (XEMIS-001) from Hiden Isochema. This is capable of getting single-component gas-phase adsorption isotherms at a wide range of temperatures and pressures.
Online Gas Chromatography (GC-2014) with thermal conductivity (TCD) and flame ionization (FID) detectors from Shimadzu. This GC is connected via heated lines directly to our high-temperature reactor. This GC is primarily set up to measure permanent gases and light hydrocarbons.
High Pressure Volumetric Adsorption (HPVA) from Micromeritics for volumetric gas uptake
Our expertise lies in developing fixed-bed and catalytic monolith reactors. The following are reactors that we have available in our lab. Lab members (students) have re-built most of these systems themselves.
Gas-phase packed-bed reactor with high temperature furnace. The reactor is connected to an online GC. Multiple mass flow controllers (MFC) and valves allow us to choose different reaction-gas mixtures for reactions.
Gas-liquid-solid trickle bed reactor. This reactor is capable of operating upto a pressure of 50 bar and temperature of 800 deg C. This reactor was procured from Beem Industries.
Adsorption system: We are currently building an in-house setup which will be capable of performing various adsorption studies, such as: (i) Breakthrough; (ii) Packed-bed adsorption; (iii) Temperature / Pressure Swing Adsorption; etc.
Shared Facilities
In addition to these, we have access to a few shared facilities in the CCUS Lab and with other colleagues in the department. These include FTIR with in-situ DRIFTS, micro-calorimetry, XRD, etc.
We use central facilities in IIT Madras for various characterization, inclulding XRD, BET analysis, HR-SEM, TEM, etc.
