Martin van Sint Annaland

Martin van Sint Annaland chairs the research group Chemical Process Intensification that develops novel multi-functional reactor concepts based on improved fundamental knowledge using validated advanced (multi-phase) reactor models. This is achieved by employing a combination of state-of-the-art numerical models (using the multi-level modeling approach), advanced (non-invasive) experimental techniques, and experimental demonstration of novel reactor concepts (proof of concept). Important research themes of the group include:

i) Integration of reaction and separation. The focus here is on membrane reactors, chemical looping processes and sorption-enhanced processes and combinations thereof. Both (high temperature) packed bed and fluidized bed membrane reactors and packed bed and fluidized bed chemical looping processes are studied for many different applications.

ii) Integration of endothermic and exothermic reactions. This comprises for instance the rapid cycling reverse flow reactor to couple the endothermic propane dehydrogenation with the exothermic combustion of methane/carbon deposits. Another example is the packed bed membrane reactor with a dual function catalyst to couple the oxidative coupling and steam reforming of methane. A third example is the Cu-Ca process for sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming coupled with chemical looping.

iii) Integration of heat exchange exploiting dynamic reactor operation. This theme entails reverse flow (membrane) reactors and dynamically operated packed beds e.g. for cryogenic separation of CO2 from flue gasses, and chemical looping combustion for power production) or liquid injection (viz. induced condensing agents in gas phase polyolefin reactors).

We need to intensify our efforts to boost process intensification.