Mahdi was born in Tehran, the first capital in iran. He studied from primary to high school in hamedan. He entered Isfahan University of Technology as a chemical engineering B.Sc. student in Petrochemical Industries field in 2001. After graduation he stated working in Isfahan refinery at 2010. Mehdi started M.Sc.degree at Sahand University of Technology in advanced chemical engineering field in 2010. He is doing his M.Sc. thesis under supervision of Dr. Haghighi, with a topic of “Synthesis and Evaluation of Ni-Co/Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocatalyst via Impregnation and Sol-gel Methods Used for Dry Reforming of Methane”.
Thesis title: Synthesis and Characterization of Al2O3-ZrO2 Supported Nanocatalysts Using Sol-Gel Method and Their Catalytic Performance
Comparison to Impregnated Catalysts in Dry Reforming of Methane
Supervisor: Dr. Mohammad Haghighi
Co-Supervisor: -
Thesis abstract:
Consuming two major greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), to produce synthesis gas with unity ratio CO2 reforming of CH4 was shown significant environmental and economic benefits. However, the process has not found wide industrial application due to severe catalyst deactivation, basically caused by carbon formation. Biogas is a proper resource for dry reforming of methane. Therefore, it is a great interest to develop stable catalysts without severe deactivation. Ni/Al2O3 catalyst has higher activity and more economical advantage than other catalysts in this process. Latest studies has shown, the addition of ZrO2 was improved the stability of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst by enhancing the base property, strong metal surface interaction, resistance against sintering and dissociation of oxygen intermediates, which then react with carbonaceous species formed over the metal. Furthermore, Ni-Co composition has created high activity, more dispersion and surface area compared with other bimetallic catalysts. Sol-gel method is an effective method in nanostructure composite synthesis with uniform distribution and colloidal mechanism which has more economical advantage than other mechanisms. Therefore, this work is focused on promoting Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 nanocatalyst by addition of Co, as a promoter of active phase, via sol-gel and sequential impregnation methods. This research was carried out in Reactor and Catalyst Research Center of Sahand University of Technology.
Evaluation of physicochemical properties of nanocatalysts by XRD, FESEM, FTIR and BET showed, the sol-gel method produced amorphous phases, uniform nanoparticles distribution and surface area than impregnation method. FTIR analysis confirmed existence of desired functional groups on surface area of catalysts. PSD analysis displayed the promoting of Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 catalyst by addition of Co and synthesized by sol-gel method produced less than 50 nm particles. Therefore, preparation method and type of material in catalysts structure have a great influence on the physicochemical properties of catalyst such as crystallinity, surface area and morphology. The performances of catalysts were assessed at atmospheric pressure, feed gas ratio of CO2/CH4= 1, GHSV=24 l/g.h and temperature ranges from 550-850°C. The stability test was evaluated at 850°C for 24 h. The results revealed synthesized catalysts by sol-gel method had the best performances and cobalt addition increased activity of catalysts. The syngas ratio very close unity only has produced by Ni-Co/Al2O3-ZrO2 synthesized by sol-gel method and this catalyst had the best activity among the other catalysts. The catalyst activity remained stable for 24 hours.
Education/Qualifications:
Master of Chemical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran (2010-2012).
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran (2001-2005).
Research Interest:
Natural Gas Conversions and Utilization (GTL Technology)
Thermodynamic
Nanotechnology
Environmental Engineering: Air & Water Pollution Control and Treatment
Modeling and Simulation
Chemical Process Engineering Design and Economics
Awards:
Associations:
MSc student, Reactor and Catalysis Research Center, Sahand University of Technology, 2010 to now.
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Assistant (Heat Transfer):(2010-2011) B.Sc course, Chemical Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology, Sahand New Town, Tabriz, Iran.
Teaching Assistant (Thermodynamic):(2011-2012) B.Sc course, Chemical Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology, Sahand New Town, Tabriz, Iran.
Workshops:
Hobbies:
Music, Poem, Fishing and Volleyball.
Fantasy:
Deep joy to the world.
Patents:
Publications/Presentations:
Mahdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Farhad Rahmani and Sogand Aghamohammadi, "Synthesis of Ni/Al2O3 Nanocatalyst Using Impregnation and Sol-Gel Methods for Syngas Production from Methane and Carbon Dioxide", The 1st National Industrial Catalyst Conference (NICC1), Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, 20-21 February 2013.
Mahdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Farhad Rahmani and Samira Karimipour, "Applying Sol-Gel and Impregnation Methods for Synthesis and Characterization of Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocatalyst Used in CO2/CH4 Reforming", The 14th Iranian Inorganic Chemistry Conference (XIV IICC), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 28-29 August 2012.
Mahdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Farhad Rahmani and Samira Karimipour, "Effect of Co Addition on Catalytic Activity of Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocatalyst Synthesized via Sol-Gel Method and Used for Syngas Production", The 14th Iranian Inorganic Chemistry Conference (XIV IICC), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 28-29 August 2012.
Mahdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Farhad Rahmani and Samira Karimipour, "A Comparative Synthesis of Ni-Cu Oxides over Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocomposite via Impregnation and Sol-Gel Methods Used for CH4/CO2 Reforming", The 15th Iranian Physical Chemistry Conference (PCC15), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, 3-6 September 2012.
Mahdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Farhad Rahmani and Samira Karimipour, "Comparison of Cobalt and Cupper Promoters on Characterization and Performance of Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocatalyst Synthesized via Sol-Gel Method an Used in Syngas Production", The 14th National Iranian Chemical Engineering Congress (IChEC14), Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 16-18 October 2012.
Mehdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Ali Alizadeh Eslami and Farhad Rahmani, "Promotion of Physicochemical Characterization of Ni/Al2O3 Nanocatalyst with ZrO2 Using Consecutive Impregnation and Sol-Gel Methods", National Conference in High Technologies in Chemical Industries (NCHTCI91), Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, 22-23 May 2012.
Mahdi Sharifi, Mohammad Haghighi, Ali Alizadeh Eslami and Farhad Rahmani, "Comparative Addition and Physicochemical Properties of Nickel, Copper and Zirconia over Alumina Using Impregnation and Sol-Gel Methods", The First International Conference of Oil, Gas, Petrochemical and Power Plant (ICOGPP12), International Convention Center of Tehran Olympic Hotel, Tehran, Iran, 16 July 2012.
Ali Alizadeh Eslami, Mohammad Haghighi, Mahdi Sharifi and Farhad Rahmani, "Synthesis and Characterization of Co-Promoted Ni/Al2O3-ZrO2 Nanocatalyst via Sequential Impregnation and Sol-Gel Methods", The First International Conference of Oil, Gas, Petrochemical and Power Plant (ICOGPP12), International Convention Center of Tehran Olympic Hotel, Tehran, Iran, 16 July 2012.
