2014 AIChE Annual Meeting

(436c) Effective Thermal Conductivity of Packed Beds and Benefit of in-Situ W ALD: Original Sample Preparation Technique

Authors

Staci A. Van Norman - Presenter, University of Colorado Boulder
Jeni Sorli, University of Colorado at Boulder
Ronggui Yang, University of Colorado at Boulder
Joseph W. Tringe, Lawrence Livermore National Lab
John D. Sain, Lawrence Livermore National Lab
John L. Falconer, University of Colorado Boulder
Alan W. Weimer, University of Colorado at Boulder

In-situ W ALD deposits uniformly throughout a packed bed of porous particles and particle internal volume and display increased effective thermal conductivity (keff).  An original sample preparation technique was developed for measuring thermal conductivity of packed beds coated by ALD.  Intimate particle contact surfaces were revealed from 3D X-ray.  Imaging in-situ ALD particles confirm wetted surfaces between particles; these contact surfaces are theorized to increase keff of the packed bed.  The conformal self-limited ALD reaction maintains porous properties of the starting material, preserves surface area of the catalyst support, and improves keff.