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Controlled atmosphere electron microscopy study of the gasification of graphite by water, hydrogen, and oxygen catalyzed by a nickel/potassium mixture

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)

The gasification of graphite by H/sub 2/O vapor, wet H/sub 2/, and wet O/sub 2/, catalyzed by a Ni/K mixture is studied using controlled atmosphere electron microscopy (CAEM). In H/sub 2/O vapor the carbon consumption, between 550 and 1100/sup 0/C, is catalyzed by an edge recession mode of attack in the (1120) direction, with no sign of deactivation. An activation energy of 30.8 +/- 0.9 kcal/mol is obtained in this case. This value is similar to those obtained in kinetic studies of the steam gasification of both graphite and char, using this catalyst. In wet H/sub 2/ both channeling and edge recession occur simultaneously. The activation energy obtained is equal to 30 +/- 2 kcal/mol. The catalyst deactivates above 1000/sup 0/C, but can be regenerated by treating the sample in H/sub 2/ vapor at 600/sup 0/C. In wet O/sub 2/ graphite is also gasified by edge recession, but no preferred direction is observed. The catalyst maintains its activity up to 1000/sup 0/C, and an activation energy of 25 +/- 2 kcal/mol is obtained. These results show that the catalytic properties of the Ni/K mixture are superior to those of Ni and K alone due to a cooperative effect between the components. 20 references.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
5298431
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 110:1; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English