Rayford G. Anthony

C.D. Holland Professor of Chemical Engineering

B.S. (1958) Texas A&M University
M.S. (1962) Texas A&M University
Ph.D. (1966) University of Texas

Address:
Department of Chemical Engineering
Texas A&M University
3122 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3122

Phone: (979) 845-3370
Fax: (979) 845-6446
E-mail: rg-anthony@tamu.edu

Research Areas

The design and synthesis of new catalytic materials for oxidation, modeling and parameter estimation of fixed-bed and multiphase reactors, acid-catalyzed and hydrogenation reactions are my chief research interests.

We use modified sol-gel procedures and hydrothermal methods to prepare hydrous metal oxides, titanates, zirconates and niobates as precursors in the synthesis of hydrotreating catalysts with very high activities. By using the proper preparation methods, the ratio of acidic and basic sites can be varied over a wide range. Recently, we discovered that TAM-5, one of the new crystalline silico-titanates first synthesized in my laboratory in conjunction with Sandia National Laboratories, efficiently removes cesium cations from a 5.7 molar solution of sodium nitrate. The efficiency is 60 to 100 times greater than existing technology. Radioactive cesium is a major hazard at the Hanford site in the state of Washington. We also anticipate that these materials can be designed to selectively remove heavy-metal cations and trace organic chemicals from aqueous waste streams. Hence, characterization of the structure and performance of these materials is of major importance.

New types of zeolites (acidic catalysts) and molecular sieves are being synthesized and characterized. The catalytic materials are characterized by physical methods such as XRD, electron microscopy, surface areas, infrared, elemental analysis, and catalytic activities. We are studying catalytic reactions for hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to produce isobutylene, hydrogenation of pyrene and dehydrogenation of light alkanes, alkylation of isobutane, hydrocracking of alkanes, and dehydration of alcohols.

Reactor modeling and parameter estimation are focused on modeling trickle-bed and slurry reactors for methanol and isobutylene synthesis from CO and H2. By using orthogonal collocation with quasilinearization and appropriate assumptions, reactor and kinetic parameters can be readily determined for slurry and trickle-bed reactors. The models are being used for simulation, design, and optimization.

Current Projects are as follows: Methanol to Olefins, Partial Oxidation of Ethane, Methane Activation, Ethyl benzene dehydrogenation with Professor Gilbert Froment, and Synthesis and Ion Exchange With TAM-5, a CST.

Refereed Publications From 1993

Anthony, R.G., C.V. Philip and R.G. Dosch, “Selective Adsorption and Ion Exchange of Metal Cations and Anions with Silico-Titanates and Layered Titanates,” Waste Manage., 13 (1993) 503-512.

Chun, J.W. and R.G. Anthony, “Catalytic Oxidations of Methane to Methanol,” I&EC Res., 32 (1993) 259-263.

Chun, J.W. and R.G. Anthony, “Partial Oxidation of Methane, Methanol, and Mixtures of Methane and Methanol, Methane and Ethane, and Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide,” I&EC Res., 32 (1993) 788-795.

Chun, J.W. and R.G. Anthony, “Free Radical Kinetic Model for Homogeneous Oxidation of Methane to Methanol,” I&EC Res., 32 (1993) 796-799.

Tjandra, S., R.G. Anthony and A. Akgerman, “Low H2/CO Ratio Synthesis Gas Conversion to Methanol in a Trickle Bed Reactor,” I&EC Res., 32 (1993) 2602-2607.

Postula, W.S., Z. Feng, C.V. Philip, A. Akgerman and R.G. Anthony, “Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Isobutylene Over Zirconium Dioxide Based Catalysts,” J. Catal., 145 (1994) 126-131.

Feng, Z., W.S. Postula, C. Erkey, C.V. Philip, A. Akgerman and R.G. Anthony, “Selective Formation of Isobutane and Isobutene from Synthesis Gas over Zirconia Catalysts Prepared by a Modified Sol-Gel Method,” J. Catal. 148 (1994) 84-90.

Lunsford, J.H., H. Sang, S.M. Campbell, C.-H. Liang and R.G. Anthony, “An NMR Study of Acid Sites on Sulfated-zirconia Catalysts using Trimethylphosphine as a Probe,” Catal. Letts. 27 (1994) 305-314.

Postula, W.S., A. Akgerman and R.G. Anthony, “The Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on Isosynthesis Over 7% (wt) Cerium Zirconia Catalyst,” Appl. Catal., A:General 112 (1994) 175-185.

Udomsak, S. and R.G. Anthony, “Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Silica Pillared Type 2 Titanate,” Catal. Today, 21 (1994) 197-209.

Anthony, R.G., R.G. Dosch, D. Gu and C.V. Philip, “Use of Silicotitanates for Removing Cesium and Strontium from Defense Waste,” I&EC Res., 33 (1994) 2702-2705.

Feng, Z., W.S. Postula, A. Akgerman and R.G. Anthony, “Characterization of Zirconia-Based Catalysts Prepared by Precipitation, Calcination, and Modified Sol-Gel Methods,” I&EC Res., 34 (1995) 78-92.

Erkey, C., J. Wang, W.S. Postula, Z. Feng, C.V. Philip, A. Akgerman and R.G. Anthony, “Isobutylene Production from Synthesis Gas over Zirconia in a Slurry Reactor,” I&EC Res., 34 (1995) 1021-1026.

Udomsak, S., R.G. Anthony and S.E. Lott, “Silicon-amine Intercalated Titanates as Novel Supports for Hydrotreating Catalyst,” Appl. Catal., A: General 122 (1995) 111-124.

Zheng, Z., D. Gu, R.G. Anthony, E. Klavetter, “Estimation of Cesium Ion Exchange Distribution Coefficients for Concentrated Electrolytic Solutions When Using Crystalline Silico-titanates,” I&EC Res., 34 (1995) 2142-2147.

Udomsak, S. and R.G. Anthony, “Isobutane Dehydrogenation of Chromia/Silica-Titania Mixed Oxide and Chroma/ -Alumina Catalysts,”I&EC Res., 35 (1996) 47-53.

Z. Zheng, C. V. Philip, R. G. Anthony, J. L. Krumhansl, D. E. Trudell, and J. E. Miller, “Ion Exchange of Group I Metals by Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 35 (1996) 4246-4256.

Al-Adwani, Hamad A. And R. G. Anthony, “Upgrading of Heavy Oils by Catalytic Hydrocracking: A Basic Review,” The Arabian Journal of Science and Engineering, 21, No. 4B, 653-661 (1996)

Z. Zheng, R. G. Anthony and J. E. Miller, “Modeling Multicomponent Ion Exchange Equilibrium Utilizing Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates by a Multiple Interactive Ion Exchange Site Model,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 36,(1997) 2427-2434.

D. Gu, Luan Nguyen, C. V. Phipil, M. E. Huckman, R. G. Anthony, J. E. Miller, and D. E. Trudell, “Cs+ Ion Exchange Kinetics in Complex Electrolyte Solutions Using Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 36,(1997) 5377-5383.

D. Gu, Luan Nguyen, C. V. Philip, M. E. Huckman, R. G. Anthony, J. E. Miller, and D. E. Trudell, ACs+ Ion Exchange Kinetics in Complex Electrolyte Solutions Using Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates,@ Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 36,(1997) 5377-5383.

Al-Adwani, Hamad A., N. Thammachote, T. J. Gardner, and R. G. Anthony, “Synthesis Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Sulfided Silico–Alumino–Titanate (Si–Al–Ti) Mixed Oxides Xerogels Supported Ni–Mo Catalyst,” Journal of Catalysis. 177, (1998) 273-283.

Mannan, M. S., A. Akgerman, R. G. Anthony, R. Darby, P. T. Eubank, and K. R.Hall, “Integrating Process Safety into ChE Education and Research,” (1999) 198-203 in Chemical Engineering Education, 33, 3, (1999).

Huckman, M.E., Latheef, I.M., Anthony, R.G., “Ion Exchange of Several Radionuclides on the Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates, UOP IONSIV IE-911,” Separation Science and Technology, 34: (6-7) 1145-1166 (1999).

Wu, Xianchun and R. G. Anthony “ Alkylation of Benzene with Formaldahyde over Medium-pore Zeolite ZSM-5,”Journal of Catalysis, 184, 294-297 1999.