IRCE / CNRS – Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement
The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (French National Center for Scientific Research) is a public organization for scientific and technological research and is under the authority of the French Ministry for Research. The CNRS is also the largest fundamental research organization in Europe. Measured by the amount of human and material resources it commits to scientific research or by the great range of disciplines in which its scientists carry on their work, the CNRS is clearly the hub of research activity in France. It is also an important breeding ground for scientific and technological innovation.
Description of the department contributing to the execution of the project
IRCELYON (Research Institute for Catalysis and Environment of Lyon) is a Joint Research Unit CNRS-Université Claude Bernard and is among the largest French joint laboratory of CNRS and University entirely devoted to catalysis. The "Engineering and process intensification" (ENG) team (about 40 persons) in charge of this project has already gained a large experience in fossil- and bio-fuel processing, and advanced on-line analysis of petrochemical fractions. ENG is involved both in the combined development of new catalysts and reactors. This integrated approach is carried out by means of mechanistic and modelling studies using routinely transient techniques, in situ DRIFT spectroscopy, in situ thermogravimetry and all the main characterization techniques. The engineering approach includes advanced lab-scale concepts like designing, coating and testing autothermal micro-reactors combining both endothermic steam reforming and combustion units. Current work concerns natural gas coupling and reforming and alkanes valorisation, hydrogen production and purification from various fuel resources, CO hydrocondensation. A large effort is permanently dedicated to designing of new reactors adapted to natural gas activation; In addition, the combinatorial and high throughput methodology is routinely applied for designing new materials and optimising catalytic processes.
Role of IRCE in the OCMOL project
IRCE will be involved in the design of new catalysts for OCM and RM reactions, in catalysts coating, in testing of micro-channelled reactors at lab and demonstration scale.