(6br) Study of Catalytic Reactions for the Production of Fuels and Chemicals from Renewable Feedstocks

My research focuses on the development of environmentally-friendly processes for the valorization of renewable feedstocks. More specifically, I am interested in fundamental studies involving the use of catalysts for the conversion of renewable feedstocks into high-value fuels and chemicals, therefore, creating new alternatives to replace conventional petrochemical routes. Specific topics of my research include the ethylene oligomerization over solid catalysts and the catalytic hydropyrolysis of biomass feedstocks. Contributions in both fields are focused on the development of reaction pathways, kinetic modeling, and the study of reaction mechanisms, in addition to design, development, and screening of new catalysts. Additionally, my contribution to the field of catalysis includes the application of supercritical fluid conditions to increase the conversion of reactants into products and, at the same time, use supercritical ethylene as an environmentally-friendly solvent to remove carbon deposits from the catalyst surface. As an Assistant Professor, I expect to continue focusing on answering fundamental questions associated with catalytic systems. There is a great interest in the conversion of non-conventional feedstock, such as lignin and food waste, to high-value fuels and chemicals, where the development of novel catalysts can contribute to making the process feasible. I am also interested in the valorization of low-value products, such as syngas and biogas, which can be a potential feedstock for the production of high-value products via catalytic conversion pathways. Finally, the knowledge that I obtained developing reaction pathways, mechanism, and kinetics for the ethylene oligomerization and pyrolysis processes can be applied not only to other chemical processes but also to a wide spectrum of areas, such as electrochemistry and biology, therefore, creating opportunities for collaboration in research projects with other faculty.

Teaching Interests:

I am interested in teaching courses related to Chemical Engineering fundamentals, such as Transport Phenomena and Chemical Reaction Engineering. As a graduate student, I worked as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for one quarter, teaching a Transport Phenomenon course for undergraduate juniors enrolled in Bioresource Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. I was responsible for teaching one recitation class every week, in which I reviewed the material covered during the previous week, and solved practice problems with the students. I also taught a full lecture, which enriched my experience as a graduate student. The experience as a TA helped to define my interest in teaching, and seek a position as an Assistant Professor after the conclusion of my Ph.D. degree.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to work with students outside the classroom, mentoring four undergraduate students, who worked under my supervision in two research projects. I believe this experience will be crucial to work with graduate students in research projects.

Successful proposal: I contributed to the writing of the proposal entitled: “The role of supercritical ethylene on oligomerization reactions with nickel-based heterogeneous catalysts,” which was submitted to the American Chemical Society - Petroleum Research Fund. Amount awarded: $ 110,000.00.

Additional grant writing experience: I contributed to the writing of proposals submitted to NSF CAREER, DOE, and Washington Sea Grant.

Ph.D. Dissertation: “Kinetics and Mechanisms of the Ethylene Oligomerization under Supercritical and Subcritical Fluid Conditions”

Under the supervision of Dr. Fernando L. P. Resende, Bioresource Science and Engineering, University of Washington.

M.S. Dissertation: “Study of the Catalytic Reactions of Ethylene Oligomerization in Subcritical and Supercritical Media over a NiBEA Catalyst”

Under the supervision of Dr. Fernando L. P. Resende, Bioresource Science and Engineering, University of Washington.

Selected Publications:

Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Resende, F. L. P.“Effect of Coke Solubility on Product Yield on the Ethylene Oligomerization under Supercritical Conditions.” Manuscript under preparation

Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Resende, F. L. P.“Kinetics of the Ethylene Oligomerization under Supercritical Fluid Conditions.” Manuscript under preparation

Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Park, J.J.W.; Tran, P.N.; Dichiara, A.; Resende, F. L. P.“Kinetics of ethylene oligomerization over Ni-H-Beta catalyst.” Under submission at ACS Catalysis.

Chandler, D.S.; Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Resende, F. L. P. “A novel catalytic route for production of alkanes from hydropyrolysis of biomass.” Manuscript under preparation

Li, Z.; Zhonga, Z.; Zhanga, B.; Wanga, W.; Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Resende, F. L. P. “Effect of alkali-treated HZSM-5 zeolite on the production of aromatic hydrocarbons from microwave assisted catalytic fast pyrolysis (MACFP) of rice husk”. Under submission at ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Resende, F. L. P.“Study of the catalytic reactions of ethylene oligomerization in subcritical and supercritical media over a NiBEA catalyst.” Appl. Catal. A Gen. 2019, vol. 576, pp. 96–107.

Jan, O.; Marchand, R.; Anjos, L. C. A.; Seufitelli, G. V. S.; Nikolla, E.; Resende, F. L. P. “Hydropyrolysis of lignin using Pd/ HZSM-5”. Energy Fuels 2015, 29, 1793−1800.