The University of British Columbia

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The aim of our research is to better understand the relationships between catalyst properties, reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms, so as to assist in the design of improved catalysts and in the development of new catalytic processes.  We focus on issues related to the Canadian energy scene. Current research activities include an investigation of hydrogen production by catalytic methane decomposition, synthesis gas conversion to alcohols, residue  and bio-oil hydroconversion (upgrading) as well as hydrogen storage using heteroaromatic liquids. 

Our research approach is based on experimental work.  Catalysts are prepared and characterized and experiments are designed to elucidate reaction kinetics and mechanisms. This information is used to build kinetic models that reflect catalyst performance as a function of both the catalyst properties and the process conditions.

Catalyst preparation, characterization and testing is conducted in well equipped laboratories both in CHBE and the Clean Energy Research Center (CERC). Facilities include several fixed-bed and stirred tank reactors coupled to GC, GC/MS and quadrupole MS for product analysis.  Catalyst characterization facilities include chemisorption, in situ DRIFTS, N2 adsorption/desorption as well as XRD, TEM/HRTEM and XPS.

RECENT SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• F. Sotoodeh and K.J. Smith “Kinetics of Hydrogen Uptake and Release from Heteroaromatic Compounds for Hydrogen Storage” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 49, 1018-1026 (2010).
• L. Zhao, F. Sotoodeh and K.J. Smith, “Increased surface area of unsupported Mo2C catalyst by alkali treatment”, Catal. Comm., 11, 391-395 (2010).
• J. H. Chong, S.J. Ardakani, K. J. Smith and M. J. MacLachlan,”Triptycene-Based Metal Salphens – Exploiting Intrinsic Molecular Porosity for Gas Storage” Chem. Euro. J., 15 11824-11828 (2009).
• F. Sotoodeh,  Z. Liang and K.J. Smith “ Kinetics of H2 recovery from dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole over a supported Pd catalyst” Appl. Catal. A, General, 362 155-162 (2009).
• R. Wang and K.J. Smith, “Hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene over high surface area metal phosphides” Applied Catalysis A, General 361 (2009) pp. 18-25
• S.F. Zaman and K.J. Smith “Synthesis gas conversion over MoP catalysts”, Catal. Comm, 10, 468-471 (2009).
•  J. Li and K.J. Smith “Methane Decomposition and Catalyst Regeneration in a Cyclic Mode over Supported Co and Ni Catalysts”, Appl. Catal. A: General, 349 116-124. (2008).
• S. F. Zaman and K.J. Smith, “A study of synthesis gas conversion to methane and methanol over a Mo6P3 cluster using density functional theory”, Molec. Simulation, 34(10-15) 1073-1084 (2008).      
• Y. Q. Yang, C. T. Tye and K. J. Smith, “Influence of MoS2 Catalyst Morphology on the Hydrodeoxygenation of Phenols”, Catal. Comm., 9(6), 1364-1368 (2008).
• X. Liu and K.J. Smith, “Acidity and deactivation of Mo2C/HY catalysts used for the hydrogenation and ring opening of naphthalene” Appl. Catal., 335(2), 230-240 (2008).
• J. E. MacKay and K. J. Smith, “Conductivity of a Fixed-Bed Adsorber During Propylene Adsorption and Breakthrough”, Canad. Jnl. Chem. Eng, 85, 863-873 (2007).
• I. I. Abu and Kevin J. Smith, “HDN and HDS of model compounds and light gas oil derived from Athabasca bitumen using modified transition metal phosphide catalysts”, Appl. Catal. A:General, Vol 328(1) 58-67 (2007).
• S. J. Ardakani, X. Liu and K. J. Smith, “Hydrogenation and Ring Opening of Naphthalene on Bulk and Supported Mo2C Catalysts” Appl. Catal. A:General, 324, 9-19 (2007).
• I.I. Abu and Smith, K.J., “Hydrodenitrogenation of carbazole over a series of bulk NixMoP catalysts” Catal. Today, 125. 248-257 (2007).
• I. I. Abu and Smith, K.J., “The Effect of Cobalt on the Hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-Dimethyldibenzothiophene over Bulk MoP and Ni2P Catalysts” J. Catal., 241, 356-366 (2006).
• C. T. Tye and Smith, K.J., “Catalytic Activity of Exfoliated MoS2 in Hydrodesulfurization, Hydrodenitrogenation and Hydrogenation Reactions” Topics in Catalysis, 37(2-4), 129 – 135 (2006).
• C. T. Tye and Smith, K.J., “Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene over Exfoliated MoS2 Catalyst”,  Catalysis Today, 116 (4): 461-468, (2006)
• Zhang, Y. and Smith, K.J, “A kinetic model of CH4 decomposition and filamentous carbon formation on supported Co catalysts”, J. Catal., 231, 354-364, (2005).

OTHER AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

• Fellow, Chemical Institute of Canada (2004)
• Member, Canadian Society for Chemical Engineers
• Canadian Catalysis Foundation

TEACHING

• CHBE 455 Chemical Engineering Reactor Design
• CHBE 241 Material and Energy Balances
• CHBE 563 Applied Heterogeneous Catalysis