Research
Research
Investigation and optimization of the iso-oleic acid hydrogenation process by coupled in-situ spectroscopies and bifunctional catalysis
Promotors: Prof. dr. ir. B. M. Weckhuysen & Prof. dr. E.T.C. Vogt
Sponsors: Croda, BASF & VibSpec
Iso-stearic acid is a naturally-derived fatty acid found in various applications such as cosmetics, foods and lubricating oils. Its commercial production takes place through the hydrogenation of iso-oleic acid, which can be produced from vegetable oils.
The aim of this project is to design a bifunctional solid catalyst which, in addition to the hydrogenation of iso-oleic acid, also removes undesired colour and odour compounds from the reaction mixture. To study the hydrogenation process, a combination of in-situ characterization methods will be installed in a stirred reactor, namely ATR-IR, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy.
C.V.
C.V.
2021 – present
PhD candidate at ICC under prof. dr. ir. B.M. Weckhuysen and prof. dr. E.T.C. Vogt
2018 – 2020
MSc Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University
Internship at Shell, Amsterdam: ‘Raman thermometry for the determination of local catalyst bed temperature under operando conditions’.
MSc thesis at Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Utrecht University: ‘Re-use of the by product hydrochloric acid to produce valuable chemicals’ (daily supervisor: Bas Terlingen MSc, supervisor: Prof. dr. ir. Bert M. Weckhuysen)
2015 – 2018
BSc Chemistry at Utrecht University
BSc thesis at Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Utrecht University: ‘Stabilizing copper sulphide nanocrystals on support materials for photocatalytic applications’ (daily supervisor: Christa van Oversteeg, supervisor: Prof. dr. P.E. de Jongh)
2008 – 2014
Pre-university education (Atheneum) at Maerlant, Brielle
1996
Born February 6th in Delft, Netherlands