Analysis of reaction mixtures of perhydro-dibenzyltoluene using two-dimensional gas chromatography and single quadrupole gas chromatography. (15th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Modisha, Phillimon M.; Jordaan, Johan H.L.; Bösmann, Andreas; Wasserscheid, Peter; Bessarabov, Dmitri
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 11(2018)
• Page Start: 5620
• Page End: 5636
• Publication Date: 2018-03-15
• Subjects: Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) -- Dibenzyltoluene -- Two-dimensional gas chromatography -- Time-of-flight mass spectrometry -- Hydrogen storage -- Dehydrogenation; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Energy storage via liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems has gained significant attention in recent times. A dibenzyltoluene (DBT) based LOHC offers excellent properties which largely solve today's hydrogen storage challenges. Understanding the course of the dehydrogenation reaction is important for catalyst and process optimization. Therefore, reliable and exact methods to determine the degree of hydrogenation (doh) are important. We here present other possible techniques, namely: comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time of flight mass spectrometry (2D-GC-TOF-MS) and single quadrupole-mass spectrometry gas chromatogram system (GC-SQ-MS). The 2D-GC-TOF-MS results indicate that isomer fractions lose three molecules of hydrogen, as follows: H18-DBT, H12-DBT, H6-DBT and H0-DBT, and the doh decreases with an increase in dehydrogenation temperature. 1 H NMR and GC-SQ-MS were employed as additional analytical techniques. The GC-SQ-MS was also used to analyse decomposition products that result from thermal cracking of reaction mixture molecules. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Regular GC is not sufficient for analysis of isomeric mixtures of dibenzyltoluene. Complex mixtures can be separated by 2D-GC-TOF-MS with suitable columns. Identification of DBT isomer fraction ions by using the SIM of GC-SQ-MS. High and low boilers decomposition products are detected using GC-SQ-MS. Higher temperatures (>290 °C) may reduce the life cycle of dibenzyltoluene.