Research Unit

Knowledge center for Intrinsic Chemical Kinetics

Acronym
KICK
Duration
01 June 2024 → Ongoing
Scientific supervisor
Core Facilities manager
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Kinetics
    • Catalysis
    • Reaction kinetics and dynamics
Keywords
catalysis kinetic modelling Intrinsic kinetics rate coefficients thermochemical reactions mass and heat transport
Description
The KICK core facility gathers expertise, infrastructure and services that allow to determine intrinsic kinetics for thermochemical and catalytic reactions. Intrinsic kinetics refers to the study of the reaction rates and mechanisms of chemical reaction mechanisms at the molecular level, i.e. independent from phenomena such as heat and mass transport. The focus lies on understanding how reactions occur, including the elementary steps involved and the factors influencing their rates. Such kinetics quantify unequivocally the occurring elementary chemical phenomena and lead to a fundamental understanding of the effect of catalyst properties upon the activity, selectivity and stability, and how this performance can be optimised by means of an appropriate reactor design. Intrinsic kinetics aim to determine the rate coefficients, reaction orders and rate laws that describe the connection between reactant concentrations and the rate of reaction. By investigating the intrinsic kinetics, insight can be gained in the underlying mechanisms of chemical reactions and predictions made about reaction rates that can be expected in other conditions and for various types of reactor. Systematic measurement of chemical kinetics is often overlooked during the development of large-scale reactors and/or catalysts. KICK can fill this blind spot by grouping a series of laboratory setups for the investigation of chemical reactions, both for gas and liquid phase reactions and whether or not with a solid catalyst. Experienced operators with extensive expertise are required and available to operate the setups. Supported by a range of spectroscopic, analytical and temperature-programmed characterization techniques, the results obtained will contribute to the development of reaction mechanisms, the optimization of reaction conditions, the design of more efficient catalysts, and the optimization and design of new reactor technology.