- Email: [email protected]
A dynamic way to reduce oxides-of-nitrogen emissions from FCC
F O C U S would otherwise have been disposed of in landfills. The plant will utilize gasification technology licensed from Integrated Environmental Technologies and a licensed proprietary catalytic technology for converting synthesis gas to ethanol jointly developed by Nipawin Biomass Ethanol New Generation Co-operative Ltd and Saskatchewan Research Council. Press release from: Fulcrum BioEnergy Inc, 4900 Hopyard Road, Suite 220, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA. Tel: +1 925 730 0150. Fax: +1 925 730 0157. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://fulcrum-bioenergy.com (18 Jul 2008)
Algae to chemicals A Dutch group composed of the Netherlands’ Akzo Nobel, Essent, Ingrepo, and Wageningen University has obtained a grant worth €1 M to study the conversion of algae as a feedstock for chemical process industries (CPI). The 4-year research includes a model project to develop methods to separate and improve algae fractions at Akzo Nobel’s Delfzijl site in The Netherlands. The pilot project comprises two 1000 sq m ponds connected to a cogeneration facility at the site, and will be utilized to discover techniques in algae culture on a broader scale and in an industrial setting. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2008, 115 (7), 16
Catalytic water treatment process An innovative catalytic solution that hinders microbial growth in process water has been developed by German firm Rieter-Automatik. Mol-Clean prevents biological film growth and algae and bacteria production in process water, such as that used in PET and PA palletizing lines, with the use of a solid catalyst and a non-toxic treatment solution. The solution is compliant with the standards of the EU Biocide Directive. European Plastics News, Jul/Aug 2008, 35 (7), 15
Another low-temperature bleaching catalyst Ciba has launched a low-temperature bleaching agent for detergents, named Tinocat TRS MB2. It contains a Saltren-Mn(III) complex which
SEPTEMBER 2008
O N
C ATA LY S T S
catalyses the oxidation of stains by hydrogen peroxide. It is claimed not to cause fabric-damage, unlike a related product used by Unilever in Persil Power in 1994. ICIS Chemical Business, 4 Aug 2008, 274 (5), 17
ENVIRONMENT A dynamic way to reduce oxides-ofnitrogen emissions from FCC Shell Global Solutions, based in Houston, TX, has developed a process for reducing emissions of oxides of nitrogen from catalyst regenerators in fluid catalytic crackers. The system has reduced NOx output to less than 40 ppm and to as low as 25 ppm under certain conditions. Shell’s process relies on the hydrogen dynamics generated by the uneven airflow and the kinetics of NOx formation. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jun 2008, 115 (6), 15
Chevron Oronite invests €20 M in fluoride-free plant in France Chevron Texaco’s subsidiary Chevron Oronite (which specializes in additives for fuels and industrial oils) is to invest €20 M in its Gonfreville-l’Orcher factory in France by end 2008. The factory employs 680 people. 50% of the investment will be used to industrialize hydrofluoric acid-free production of detergents for lubricants. The process has been successfully tested at a small scale at the factory since 2004 (when it required a €20 M for the launch of a pilot unit). The pilot unit uses a solid catalyst in a fixed bed for the alkylation reaction. The new technology eliminates the risk of emissions of gaseous hydrofluoric acid. Chevron Oronite has closed down its hydrofluoric acid unit. The company is also to invest €2 M in building a new generation boiler offering both an increase in capacity and better environmental performances. The remaining €8 M will be spent on technical equipment designed to improve productivity, modernize processes and industrialize the production of new products. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Jul 2008, (430), 10 (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)
PATENTS Transalkylation catalysts containing palladium and germanium Acidic zeolites containing palladium and germanium in specified proportions are selective transalkylation catalysts for making specific xylenes from other alkyl aromatics whilst minimising the production of non-aromatics. US 7,411,102, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 12 Aug 2008
Transalkylation catalysts containing iridium and germanium The wording of this specification is almost identical with that of the preceding patent (No 7,411,102), but iridium is used in place of palladium. There are three additional inventors. The relative merits of palladium and iridium, in addition to germanium, are not commented on in either specification. US 7,414,163, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 19 Aug 2008
Improved MTO catalysts The usual catalyst for the methanolto-olefins (MTO) process is a SAPO zeotype. The lifetimes and selectivities of these catalysts are improved by mixing them with activated Group II oxides such as magnesium oxide, optionally mixed with lanthanum oxide, or barium oxide. US 7,411,106, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 12 Aug 2008
Preparation of glyceryl carbonate methacrylate Glyceryl carbonate methacrylate is widely used in the coatings industry as a cross-linking agent. It can be made under mild conditions by the transesterification of methyl methacrylate with glyceryl carbonate, catalysed by zirconium acetylacetonate. US 7,414,147, Roehm GmbH & Co KG, Darmstadt, Germany, 19 Aug 2008
7
Algae to chemicals A Dutch group composed of the Netherlands’ Akzo Nobel, Essent, Ingrepo, and Wageningen University has obtained a grant worth €1 M to study the conversion of algae as a feedstock for chemical process industries (CPI). The 4-year research includes a model project to develop methods to separate and improve algae fractions at Akzo Nobel’s Delfzijl site in The Netherlands. The pilot project comprises two 1000 sq m ponds connected to a cogeneration facility at the site, and will be utilized to discover techniques in algae culture on a broader scale and in an industrial setting. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2008, 115 (7), 16
Catalytic water treatment process An innovative catalytic solution that hinders microbial growth in process water has been developed by German firm Rieter-Automatik. Mol-Clean prevents biological film growth and algae and bacteria production in process water, such as that used in PET and PA palletizing lines, with the use of a solid catalyst and a non-toxic treatment solution. The solution is compliant with the standards of the EU Biocide Directive. European Plastics News, Jul/Aug 2008, 35 (7), 15
Another low-temperature bleaching catalyst Ciba has launched a low-temperature bleaching agent for detergents, named Tinocat TRS MB2. It contains a Saltren-Mn(III) complex which
SEPTEMBER 2008
O N
C ATA LY S T S
catalyses the oxidation of stains by hydrogen peroxide. It is claimed not to cause fabric-damage, unlike a related product used by Unilever in Persil Power in 1994. ICIS Chemical Business, 4 Aug 2008, 274 (5), 17
ENVIRONMENT A dynamic way to reduce oxides-ofnitrogen emissions from FCC Shell Global Solutions, based in Houston, TX, has developed a process for reducing emissions of oxides of nitrogen from catalyst regenerators in fluid catalytic crackers. The system has reduced NOx output to less than 40 ppm and to as low as 25 ppm under certain conditions. Shell’s process relies on the hydrogen dynamics generated by the uneven airflow and the kinetics of NOx formation. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jun 2008, 115 (6), 15
Chevron Oronite invests €20 M in fluoride-free plant in France Chevron Texaco’s subsidiary Chevron Oronite (which specializes in additives for fuels and industrial oils) is to invest €20 M in its Gonfreville-l’Orcher factory in France by end 2008. The factory employs 680 people. 50% of the investment will be used to industrialize hydrofluoric acid-free production of detergents for lubricants. The process has been successfully tested at a small scale at the factory since 2004 (when it required a €20 M for the launch of a pilot unit). The pilot unit uses a solid catalyst in a fixed bed for the alkylation reaction. The new technology eliminates the risk of emissions of gaseous hydrofluoric acid. Chevron Oronite has closed down its hydrofluoric acid unit. The company is also to invest €2 M in building a new generation boiler offering both an increase in capacity and better environmental performances. The remaining €8 M will be spent on technical equipment designed to improve productivity, modernize processes and industrialize the production of new products. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Jul 2008, (430), 10 (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)
PATENTS Transalkylation catalysts containing palladium and germanium Acidic zeolites containing palladium and germanium in specified proportions are selective transalkylation catalysts for making specific xylenes from other alkyl aromatics whilst minimising the production of non-aromatics. US 7,411,102, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 12 Aug 2008
Transalkylation catalysts containing iridium and germanium The wording of this specification is almost identical with that of the preceding patent (No 7,411,102), but iridium is used in place of palladium. There are three additional inventors. The relative merits of palladium and iridium, in addition to germanium, are not commented on in either specification. US 7,414,163, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 19 Aug 2008
Improved MTO catalysts The usual catalyst for the methanolto-olefins (MTO) process is a SAPO zeotype. The lifetimes and selectivities of these catalysts are improved by mixing them with activated Group II oxides such as magnesium oxide, optionally mixed with lanthanum oxide, or barium oxide. US 7,411,106, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 12 Aug 2008
Preparation of glyceryl carbonate methacrylate Glyceryl carbonate methacrylate is widely used in the coatings industry as a cross-linking agent. It can be made under mild conditions by the transesterification of methyl methacrylate with glyceryl carbonate, catalysed by zirconium acetylacetonate. US 7,414,147, Roehm GmbH & Co KG, Darmstadt, Germany, 19 Aug 2008
7