Dr. Naomi Klinghoffer

Contact

    • Education:
      • Ph.D (2013) Earth and Environmental Engineering Columbia University, New York
      • Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (2007)McGill University, Montreal, Canada
    • Teaching:
      • Adjunct Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the City College of New York
      • Hayden Engineering and Applied Science program for high school students(Teacher for Environmental Engineering course)
      • Center for Technology, Innovation, and Community Engagement,Columbia University (Advisor for community service based design projects in the New York area)
    • Publications:
      • Klinghoffer, N.B., Castaldi, M.J., Nzihou, A., “Catalyst Properties and Catalytic Performance of Char from Biomass Gasification.” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 2012, 51 (40): 13113–13122. (Abstract)
      • Klinghoffer, N. B., Barrai, F., Castaldi, M. J., “Autothermal reforming of JP8 on aPt/Rh catalyst: Catalyst durability studies and effects of sulfur.” Journal of Power Sources, 196 (15), 2011, 6374-6381. (Abstract)
  • Description of Research:
    • My research focuses on understanding the ability of ash from gasification of biomass to catalytically decompose tars from gasification processes. Ash is produced from gasification or incineration of waste and is currently disposed of in landfills or used for construction applications. Ash has properties that are similar to those of conventional catalysts, such as high surface area, and the presence of metals and minerals. It is of interest to use the ash to catalytically decompose the tars that are generated during gasification and must be removed. My research aims to understand the impact of gasification conditions on ash properties and how these properties affect the catalytic activity of the ash. This is being done through characterization as well as activity testing of ash that I have generated in our labs.
    • Past Research:
      • Autothermal steam reforming of liquid fuels for portable power applications. I am using a monolithic reactor with a precious metal catalyst to produce hydrogen which can be used in fuel cells for power generation. Operation is fully autothermal, which eliminates the need for external heating to the reactor. I am studying the effects on fuel conversion and product gas distribution for different fuel compositions. This research includes durability tests in order to understand the long term performance of the catalyst, as well as the behavior of the catalyst under conditions of frequent start-ups and shut downs.