This study reflects upon the potential of electrically heated reactors either for endothermal processes or for shortening the light-off time of catalytic converters. In this context, the topic is exemplified by an exhaust gas aftertreatment system for passenger vehicles.

Electrochemical conversion of CO₂ off-gas from industrial plants via gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) to small organic molecules can help to utilize CO₂ as feedstock. The wetting behavior of the employed GDEs with electrolyte is a crucial parameter for experimental evaluation, which is emphasized via electrochemical and physical post-mortem analysis.

The conversion of pure 2-ethylphenol on USY zeolite was investigated by gas-phase and solid-state NMR, and formation of light alkanes and deoxygenation of this reactant was found. For this purpose, a method based on sealing of the reactant-loaded catalyst in a glass tube with an empty volume for collecting the volatile products was developed.

Electrolyzing CO₂ with renewable energy to formate is a promising process to utilize CO₂ as feedstock. While the lack of market volume and applications for formate reduces the economic attractiveness of this process, its use as an energy carrier by re-electrification via fuel cells adds economic value to the formate solution obtained from CO₂ electrolysis.

Methane as the main component of natural gas receives more and more attention. The production of formic acid by the selective oxidation of methane is presented. Colloidal nanosized Cu-Fe-silicalite-1 as catalyst was prepared and a micro reactor was used to intensify mass transport. High values of turnover frequencies and volume productivity were obtained.

The field of applicable reactor setups for oxidative esterification, which is a green and mild alternative to classic routes, is extended to a fixed-bed recycle reactor with oxygen presaturation in the recycle. To investigate this three-phase reaction, a proper approach is the technical separation of gas-to-liquid mass transfers by introducing a gas absorption column in the liquid recycle flow.

The transfer of electrochemical CO₂ reduction into continuous mode of operation at industrially relevant current density is described. Technical realization is approached in terms of high reaction rates, continuous operation, and energetic efficiency using gas diffusion electrodes loaded with electrocatalyst nanoparticles, a microstructured flow cell, and electrolyte optimization.

Die elektrochemische Reduktion von CO₂ zu Ameisensäure ist eine vielversprechende Möglichkeit für dessen stoffliche Nutzung und die Speicherung von Strom. Ein Trockenpressverfahren zur einfachen und reproduzierbaren Herstellung von Gasdiffusionselektroden wird vorgestellt und deren Eignung für die CO₂-Reduktion in Semi-Batch-Versuchen demonstriert.

ZSM-5 zeolites modified by impregnation with ammonium dihydrogenphosphate and subsequent calcination were applied in the methanol-to-olefin conversion. The improved performance of these catalysts towards C₂ – C₄ formation has been explained by a decrease of the acid site density and a deposition of polyphosphates near crossing intersections of the pore system affecting the shape selectivity.

The partial oxidation of o-xylene was investigated in the explosion regime to compare the performance of microfixed bed and catalyst coating. Up to 7 vol %, the performance of both catalyst systems was comparable. Above 7 vol % o-xylene, the selectivity to phthalic anhydride decreased much stronger for the microfixed bed due to total oxidation.

Mikroreaktoren sind nicht inhärent sicher, wenngleich der Bereich der sicheren Betriebsbedingungen gegenüber konventionellen Reaktoren erweitert ist. Es werden erste Ergebnisse der Untersuchung der Ausbreitung von Explosionen durch einen Mikroreaktor mit rechteckigem Strömungskanal vorgestellt.