Felix M. Kirchberger

PhD Student

Catalysis Research Center and Chemistry Department

Technische Universität München

Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching, Germany

Curriculum

Research

Oscillating prices of crude oil as well as environmental considerations have led to increased interest in the use of natural gas, coal or biomass as resources for the production of gasoline and petrochemicals. Methanol can be produced from such feedstocks via synthesis gas and further converted into gasoline-range hydrocarbons (MTG) or alternatively light, possibly polymer-grade alkenes (MTO). The methanol to olefins reaction over acidic zeolites (e.g. ZSM-5) has been in the focus of heterogeneous catalysis research during the past decades. Despite considerable experimental and theoretical efforts, the mechanism is poorly understood. The reaction is assumed to proceed via sequential steps of olefin formation, aromatization as well as coking which leads to catalyst deactivation. We intend to gain a better understanding of the elementary reaction steps involved in the MTO reaction. This should be achieved by performing kinetic studies as well as by utilizing advanced catalyst characterization methods. Post-synthesis modifications of zeolites should reveal the importance of certain parameters for the catalytic performance, enhance the olefins yield and suppress the formation of undesired by-products.

Publications

Yue Liu, Felix M. Kirchberger, Moritz Eder, Markus Tonigold, Maricruz Sanchez-Sanchez, Johannes A. Lercher; Nat.Commun. 10 (2019). "Critical role of formaldehyde during methanol conversion to hydrocarbons"

Sebastian Müller, Yue Liu, Felix M. Kirchberger, Markus Tonigold, Maricruz Sanchez-Sanchez, and Johannes A. Lercher; J.Am.Chem.Soc. (2016). "Hydrogen Transfer Pathways during Zeolite Catalyzed Methanol Conversion to Hydrocarbons"

50. Jahrestreffen Deutscher Katalytiker Weimar, March 15th, 2017 "Hydrogen transfer pathways during zeolite catalyzed methanol conversion to hydrocarbons" Felix M. Kirchberger, Sebastian Müller, Markus Tonigold, Yue Liu, Maricruz Sanchez-Sanchez, Johannes A. Lercher, oral presentation.