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F O C U S volume. Despite being full of catalysts, the remaining 95% did not contribute to the catalytic reaction. This discovery allowed for the development of flow reactor with minimized volume and reduced catalyst requirement. The study provided a method to effectively and efficiently synthesize pharmaceuticals and other flow reactor chemical products. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 4 Mar 2014, (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Researchers discover unique way to generate tailor-made polymers by a catalyst control method At Imperial College London, researchers have developed a new method of controlling the composition of a range of polymers. The new research, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, demonstrates how the chemical reactions used to produce polymers can be controlled, especially in fixing the composition of a polymer using a mixture of up to three different monomers. The secret lies in understanding and switching ‘on’ and ‘off’ the catalyst used to make the polymers. The researchers found that by using this catalyst control method, it is possible to select the monomers that will be added to the chain and therefore control the pattern and composition of the final polymers. In this study, the scientists worked on producing polyesters and polycarbonates. It is anticipated that the method could eventually be widely used in the manufacture of many different types of polymer materials. The method utilizes a zinc-based catalyst, using three different monomers, including carbon dioxide. This chemistry represents a promising approach to adding value to waste CO2, including from waste gas emissions. The next step in the process will be to extend the method to greater varieties and mixtures of monomers. An Imperial spin out company, Econic Technologies, is licensing the discovery and commercializing these materials. Original Source: Imperial College of London, 2014. Found on SpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 26 Feb 2014, (Website: http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)
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PATENTS Global Bioenergies receives two patents for its bio-isobutene production process On 31 Mar 2014, Global Bioenergies announced that the Australian Intellectual Property Office had granted two patents that protect key steps of its process for converting renewable resources into isobutene. The first two applications were registered AU2009265373 and AU2010297362. Each of the granted patents protects one essential enzymatic reaction of the isobutene production pathway constructed by Global Bioenergies. The particularity of this process is that isobutene is directly produced by fermentation. These granted patents are part of two applications that have now reached the national phase in many more territories including Europe, the US, China, and Brazil. Global Bioenergies holds exclusive exploitation rights to about 20 families of patent applications which protect its processes for converting renewable resources into isobutene, butadiene, and propylene. According to the chief technology officer of Global Bioenergies, the enzymatic activities covered by these patents have been successfully engineered in bacterial strains that are currently used at lab scale to produce isobutene. New generations of these strains will be cultivated and transferred to the pilot plant under construction in PomacleBazancourt, France. They will then be transferred to the second pilot, currently in the engineering phase under industry leader Linde. This pilot will be installed on the refinery platform in Leuna, Germany, and will be operational in 2015. Original Source: Global Bioenergies, 2014. Found on SpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 31 Mar 2014, (Website: http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)
Aphios Corp Aphios Corp has been awarded US Patent No 8,540,847 for its Aosic enabling technology platform. The patent, with the title “Methods and Apparatus for Processing Cellulosic Biomass”, covers a process where biomass is contracted with
superfluids. Expansive forces of superfluids and carbonic acid hydrolysis make fiber more accessible. Biomass ejection through mechanical input devices ensures additional fibers separation. Original Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine, Mar 2014, 20 (3), 21 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/) © BBI International 2014
Catalytic membranes: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas Dated 10 May 2013, The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, USA, has secured a patent (WO/2013/066941) for its catalytic membranes for cellulose and hemicellulose hydrolysis. The material’s surface is functionalized with a polymer, which has solubility and acid functionalities. Original Source: Membrane Technology, Jan 2014, 15 (Website: http://www.membrane-technology.com) © Elsevier Ltd 2014
Hydroprocessing of high nitrogen feeds A two-stage process for treating feeds containing more than 3000 ppm nitrogen such as those made from algae. The first stage uses a supported mixed metal oxide such as nickel molybdate/tungstate. The second stage uses an unsupported sulfided mixed metal oxide. US 8,580,108, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co, Annandale, NJ, USA, 12 Nov 2013
Catalyst for hydroprocessing naphtha A complex process which deposits cobalt molybdate and an organic dispersion aid on a high-temperature form of alumina. US 8,637,423, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co, Annandale, NJ, USA, 28 Jan 2014
Process for cracking a heavy hydrocarbon feed A process involving vaporizing, coking, hydroprocessing, and steam cracking. The products include lower olefins and gasoline fractions. US 8,658,019, Equistar Chemicals LP, Houston, TX, USA, 25 Feb 2014
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Researchers discover unique way to generate tailor-made polymers by a catalyst control method At Imperial College London, researchers have developed a new method of controlling the composition of a range of polymers. The new research, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, demonstrates how the chemical reactions used to produce polymers can be controlled, especially in fixing the composition of a polymer using a mixture of up to three different monomers. The secret lies in understanding and switching ‘on’ and ‘off’ the catalyst used to make the polymers. The researchers found that by using this catalyst control method, it is possible to select the monomers that will be added to the chain and therefore control the pattern and composition of the final polymers. In this study, the scientists worked on producing polyesters and polycarbonates. It is anticipated that the method could eventually be widely used in the manufacture of many different types of polymer materials. The method utilizes a zinc-based catalyst, using three different monomers, including carbon dioxide. This chemistry represents a promising approach to adding value to waste CO2, including from waste gas emissions. The next step in the process will be to extend the method to greater varieties and mixtures of monomers. An Imperial spin out company, Econic Technologies, is licensing the discovery and commercializing these materials. Original Source: Imperial College of London, 2014. Found on SpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 26 Feb 2014, (Website: http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)
JUNE 2014
O N
C ATA LY S T S
PATENTS Global Bioenergies receives two patents for its bio-isobutene production process On 31 Mar 2014, Global Bioenergies announced that the Australian Intellectual Property Office had granted two patents that protect key steps of its process for converting renewable resources into isobutene. The first two applications were registered AU2009265373 and AU2010297362. Each of the granted patents protects one essential enzymatic reaction of the isobutene production pathway constructed by Global Bioenergies. The particularity of this process is that isobutene is directly produced by fermentation. These granted patents are part of two applications that have now reached the national phase in many more territories including Europe, the US, China, and Brazil. Global Bioenergies holds exclusive exploitation rights to about 20 families of patent applications which protect its processes for converting renewable resources into isobutene, butadiene, and propylene. According to the chief technology officer of Global Bioenergies, the enzymatic activities covered by these patents have been successfully engineered in bacterial strains that are currently used at lab scale to produce isobutene. New generations of these strains will be cultivated and transferred to the pilot plant under construction in PomacleBazancourt, France. They will then be transferred to the second pilot, currently in the engineering phase under industry leader Linde. This pilot will be installed on the refinery platform in Leuna, Germany, and will be operational in 2015. Original Source: Global Bioenergies, 2014. Found on SpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 31 Mar 2014, (Website: http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)
Aphios Corp Aphios Corp has been awarded US Patent No 8,540,847 for its Aosic enabling technology platform. The patent, with the title “Methods and Apparatus for Processing Cellulosic Biomass”, covers a process where biomass is contracted with
superfluids. Expansive forces of superfluids and carbonic acid hydrolysis make fiber more accessible. Biomass ejection through mechanical input devices ensures additional fibers separation. Original Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine, Mar 2014, 20 (3), 21 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/) © BBI International 2014
Catalytic membranes: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas Dated 10 May 2013, The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, USA, has secured a patent (WO/2013/066941) for its catalytic membranes for cellulose and hemicellulose hydrolysis. The material’s surface is functionalized with a polymer, which has solubility and acid functionalities. Original Source: Membrane Technology, Jan 2014, 15 (Website: http://www.membrane-technology.com) © Elsevier Ltd 2014
Hydroprocessing of high nitrogen feeds A two-stage process for treating feeds containing more than 3000 ppm nitrogen such as those made from algae. The first stage uses a supported mixed metal oxide such as nickel molybdate/tungstate. The second stage uses an unsupported sulfided mixed metal oxide. US 8,580,108, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co, Annandale, NJ, USA, 12 Nov 2013
Catalyst for hydroprocessing naphtha A complex process which deposits cobalt molybdate and an organic dispersion aid on a high-temperature form of alumina. US 8,637,423, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co, Annandale, NJ, USA, 28 Jan 2014
Process for cracking a heavy hydrocarbon feed A process involving vaporizing, coking, hydroprocessing, and steam cracking. The products include lower olefins and gasoline fractions. US 8,658,019, Equistar Chemicals LP, Houston, TX, USA, 25 Feb 2014
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