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Direct liquid fuel cells are considered an ideal electrochemical energy device to supplement Li-batteries in some special applications, due to the higher energy density of liquid fuel, quiet operation, and independent of charging plugs. We are interested in develop direct carbohydrazide fuel cells with high power density and high energy and fuel efficiency. Now we are investigating electrochemical reaction mechanisms of carbohydrazide, hydrazine and ammonia over different types of catalysts in various conditions, and exploring efficient anode catalyst materials, with the ultimate goal of developing novel carbohydrazide fuel cell technologies.
Sponsor: Iowa Reagents Innovation Fund (RIF)
Wenzhen Li Research Group
Electrochemistry / Catalysis / Energy
/ Environment / Agriculture / Sustainability
Spring 2024
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Sweeney 1126 8:50-9:40am M, W, F
Textbook: Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fogler, 6th Ed.
Expected learning outcomes: Apply mole and energy balances to control volumes to obtain equations describing chemical reactors, Calculate conversion and properly size various types of chemical reactors, Combine chemical rate laws with mole balances to produce design equations, Use data obtained from laboratory reactors to determine reaction rate laws, Maximize selectivity towards a desired product in multiple reaction systems, Analyze the dynamic behavior of chemical reactors and determine conditions that lead to unstable or potentially dangerous operation, Analyze the interplay between mass transfer, adsorption, and reaction in heterogeneous catalytic reactors, Account for non-ideal mixing in chemical reactors
Fall 2023
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Sweeney 1126 8:50-9:40am M, W, F
Textbook: Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fogler, 6th Ed.
Expected learning outcomes: Apply mole and energy balances to control volumes to obtain equations describing chemical reactors, Calculate conversion and properly size various types of chemical reactors, Combine chemical rate laws with mole balances to produce design equations, Use data obtained from laboratory reactors to determine reaction rate laws, Maximize selectivity towards a desired product in multiple reaction systems, Analyze the dynamic behavior of chemical reactors and determine conditions that lead to unstable or potentially dangerous operation, Analyze the interplay between mass transfer, adsorption, and reaction in heterogeneous catalytic reactors, Account for non-ideal mixing in chemical reactors
Fall 2022
ChE410/510 Electrochemical Engineering, Sweeney 1126, 2:10-3:25pm T, R
Topics: Electrochemical engineering principles in thermodynamics, electrode kinetics, charge and mass transport; modeling and simulation; electrocatalysis; electrochemical reactions; applications of electrochemical engineering in fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers.
Expected learning outcomes: By the end of the course, the successful students should be able to: understand basic electrochemical engineering principles, design and analyze simple fuel cells, batteries, electrolyzers, conduct simple electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy related projects.
Spring 2022
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Student Innovation Center 2221, 8:50-9:40am M, W, F
Textbook: Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fogler, 5th Ed.
Fall 2021
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Student Innovation Center 2206, 8:50-9:40am M, W, F
Textbook: Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fogler, 5th Ed.
Expected learning outcomes: Apply mole and energy balances to control volumes to obtain equations describing chemical reactors, Calculate conversion and properly size various types of chemical reactors, Combine chemical rate laws with mole balances to produce design equations, Use data obtained from laboratory reactors to determine reaction rate laws, Maximize selectivity towards a desired product in multiple reaction systems, Analyze the dynamic behavior of chemical reactors and determine conditions that lead to unstable or potentially dangerous operation, Analyze the interplay between mass transfer, adsorption, and reaction in heterogeneous catalytic reactors, Account for non-ideal mixing in chemical reactors
Spring 2021
ChE587 Advanced Chemical Reactor Design, 8:50-10:10am M, W, Location: online (synchronous Zoom class, course syllabus posted on ISU Canvas)
Fundamentals of chemical reaction kinetics and their applications to the design and operation of chemical reactors. Interpretation of chemical reaction data, mechanism construction, and application to design of ideal reactors will be reviewed. Non-ideal reactor models (non-isothermal, non-ideal flow) will be overviewed. Microscopic rate theories (collision theory, transition state theory), heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic kinetics and mechanisms, effects of transport limitations, microkinetic analysis and heterogeneous catalytic reactor design will be studied.
Fall 2020
ChE410/510 Electrochemical Engineering, 2:10-3:25pm T, R
Due to the pandemic concerns, the delivery method of this course has been moved to online since 5th week. Demonstration of fuel cell and hands-on electrochemistry labs have been canceled. Individual appointments for lab visiting are available. Final deliverable is the team project report and presentation, no final exam.
Read Dr.Li and students' comments on this course.
Topics: Electrochemical engineering principles in thermodynamics, electrode kinetics, charge and mass transport; modeling and simulation; electrocatalysis; electrochemical reactions; applications of electrochemical engineering in fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers.
Expected learning outcomes: By the end of the course, the successful students should be able to: understand basic electrochemical engineering principles, design and analyze simple fuel cells, batteries, electrolyzers, conduct simple electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy related projects.
Spring 2020
ChE587 Advanced Chemical Reactor Design, Sweeney 1120 , 9:00-10:20am M, W
Fundamentals of chemical reaction kinetics and their applications to the design and operation of chemical reactors. Interpretation of chemical reaction data, mechanism construction, and application to design of ideal reactors will be reviewed. Non-ideal reactor models (non-isothermal, non-ideal flow) will be overviewed. Microscopic rate theories (collision theory, transition state theory), heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic kinetics and mechanisms, effects of transport limitations, microkinetic analysis and heterogeneous catalytic reactor design will be studied.
Fall 2019
ChE410/510 Electrochemical Engineering, Sweeney 1134, 2:10-3:25pm T, R
Demonstration of fuel cell and hands-on electrochemistry labs have offered.
Final deliverable is the team project report and presentation, no final exam.
Topics: Electrochemical engineering principles in thermodynamics, electrode kinetics, charge and mass transport; modeling and simulation; electrocatalysis; electrochemical reactions; applications of electrochemical engineering in fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers.
Expected learning outcomes: By the end of the course, the successful students should be able to: understand basic electrochemical engineering principles, design and analyze simple fuel cells, batteries, electrolyzers, conduct simple electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy related projects.
Spring 2019
ChE587 Advanced Chemical Reactor Design, Sweeney 1120, 9:00-10:20am M, W
Fundamentals of chemical reaction kinetics and their application to the design and operation of chemical reactors. Interpretation of chemical reaction data, mechanism construction, and application to design of reactors. Ideal reactors will be reviewed and non-ideal reactor models (non-isothermal, non-ideal flow) overviewed. Microscopic rate theories (collision theory, transition state theory) will be discussed. Heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic kinetics and mechanisms, effects of transport limitations, microkinetic analysis and heterogeneous catalytic reactor design.
Fall 2018
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Horticulture 0118, 9:00-9:50am M, W, F
Expected learning outcomes: Apply mole and energy balances to control volumes to obtain equations describing chemical reactors, Calculate conversion and properly size various types of chemical reactors, Combine chemical rate laws with mole balances to produce design equations, Use data obtained from laboratory reactors to determine reaction rate laws, Maximize selectivity towards a desired product in multiple reaction systems, Analyze the dynamic behavior of chemical reactors and determine conditions that lead to unstable or potentially dangerous operation, Analyze the interplay between mass transfer, adsorption, and reaction in heterogeneous catalytic reactors, Account for non-ideal mixing in chemical reactors
Spring 2018
ChE410/510 Electrochemical Engineering, Sweeney 1134, 3:00-3:50pm M, W, F
This is a new elective course developed by Dr. Li at Iowa State, which is offered to undergraduate seniors and graduate students.
Topics: Electrochemical engineering principles in thermodynamics, electrode kinetics, charge and mass transport; modeling and simulation; electrocatalysis; electrochemical reactions; applications of electrochemical engineering in fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers.
Expected learning outcomes: By the end of the course, the successful students should be able to: understand basic electrochemical engineering principles, design and analyze simple fuel cells, batteries, electrolyzers, conduct simple electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy related projects.
Fall 2017
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Atanasff B0029, 9:00-9:50am M, W, F
Spring 2017
ChE587 Advanced Chemical Reactor Design, Black 1026, 9:00-10:20am M, W
Spring 2016
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Sukup B0022, 5:10-6:30pm M, W
Fall 2015
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Durham 0171, 9:00-9:50am M, W, F
Spring 2015
ChE382 Chemical Reaction Engineering, Durham 0171, 9:00-9:50am M, W, F
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