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Washington State University
The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering

Faculty & Staff

Norbert Kruse

Norbert Kruse

Norbert Kruse, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor

Heterogeneous catalysis: from fundamentals to industrial applications

Office: 155A Wegner Hall 📞509-335-6601

Twitter: @KruseGroupWSU
The Gene and Linda Voiland
School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering
1505 Stadium Way, Room 105
P.O. Box 646515
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6515

Research Interests

Dr. Kruse’s research is focused on the development of catalytic processes aimed at providing sustainable chemical feedstock under environmentally benign conditions. A strategy “from the bottom to the top and vice versa” is followed to cover all aspects of knowledge-oriented basic and applied research. Modern techniques of nanotechnology are used to design the structure and composition of solid catalysts.

Present research topics focusing on application include:

  • production of oxygenates (fuels, feedstock for lubricants, plasticizers or detergents) from carbon monoxide and hydrogen according to the Fischer Tropsch technology
  • catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to short-chain alcohols
  • methane activation
  • selective catalytic reduction of NOx

Fundamental research in heterogeneous catalysis aims at:

  • demonstrating reaction mechanisms by investigating the ongoing catalytic reaction
  • providing an understanding of oscillations in catalytic reactions
  • tuning the selectivity with nanosized metal particles

Research Highlights

CO + H2 {CoCuMn to (6 ≤ n ≤ 12)OH to lubricants/detergents/plasticizer); CoMnK to (2 ≤ n ≤ 6)O to lubricants/detergents/plasticizer; CoCuNb to (0 ≤ n ≤ 3)OH to Oxygenated gasoline ("alkanol" fuels)}, CO2 + H2 using CuZnAl goes to Methanol; CO2 + O2 using CoCuK goes to Oxygenates and olefins

WSU Researchers developed new catalysts for the selective production from syngas of oxygen-functionalized hydrocarbons with different chain length used as fuels and chemical feedstock.

Dr. Kruse’s group has developed new catalysts for the selective production from syngas of oxygen-functionalized hydrocarbons with different chain length used as fuels and chemical feedstock. ➡ Read more about Dr. Kruse’s catalysis research