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As clean as concrete
FOCUS for acetaldehyde which is 2-3 times greater than that achieved by conventional catalysts. Japan Chemical Week, 15 Sep 2005, 46 (2334), 2
Visible light photocatalytic titania developed Sekisui Jushi (Japan) has developed a type of titania photocatalyst which responds to visible light. It incorporates iron and sulfur. It is very effective for decomposing formaldehyde. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Oct 2005, 46 (2337), 2
As clean as concrete Chemical reactions involving photocatalysts now make various selfcleaning surfaces possible. The construction and prefabricated building industries are particularly confident that this technology will open up new market opportunities. Cement surfaces that have been treated with a photocatalytic material are self-cleaning in that materials cannot adhere to them. Kemira’s titanium dioxide research has increasingly shifted towards developing applications. It is believed that the capacity for self-cleaning will have a profound impact on the construction industry in terms of its aesthetic image. Kemira Stakeholder Magazine, Oct 2005, (3), 20-21 (Kemira Oyj, PO Box 330, 00101 Helsinki, Finland. Tel +358 10 8611. Fax +358 10 862 1119. Website: http://www.kemira.com)
Platinum-free fuel cell catalysts Acta SpA (Italy) has developed a family of catalysts (“Hypermec™”) for fuel cells. Their compositions are proprietary but they contain cobalt and nickel and some contain also a “reduced” quantity of platinum. They function in PMFCs, DMFCs, and similar cells using ethanol. Acta has just signed an exclusive distribution agreement for these catalysts with Summit Medi-Chem (a subsidiary of Sumitomo) covering Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Fuelcells Bulletin, Oct 2005, 7 & Japan Chemical Week, 27 Oct 2005, 46 (2340), 3
A new look at olefin optimization New olefin optimization catalysts offer refiners the opportunity to increase
6
ON
C ATA LY S T S
propylene production. According to CMAI, demand for propylene is increasing by 5%/y. Steam crackers have been unable to keep up with demand. Refiners with fluid catalytic catalyst capacity can use new catalysts such as ZSM-5 to boost propylene output. Albemarle expects the olefin optimization catalyst sector to continue to expand. However, a shortage of gasoline could deter some refiners as most operations convert gasoline into propylene. The use of the catalyst additives requires investment in equipment to handle the additional gaseous output. Companies could justify the investment if prices remain high. Engelhard has launched its Maximum Olefin Additive. Albemarle plans to launch a new zeolite catalyst. Chemical Market Reporter, 3 Oct 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Metallocene catalyst-based PP Basell NV has added new grades to its line of metallocene catalyst-based PP resins marketed under the Metocene brand. The peroxide-free grades have been introduced after pre-commercialisation production runs using proprietary Avant M metallocene catalysts in Basell facilities in Wesseling, Germany, and Bayport, TX. They are suitable for melt-blown fibre extrusion uses. High Performance Plastics, Oct 2005, 3
Production of cyclohexanone through biomimetic catalysis A new process for making cyclohexanone, developed at Hunan University, uses biomimetic catalysis in the air oxidation of cyclohexane to double the conversion rate and increase cyclohexanone yield by 10%. The new technology reduces the reaction temperature by 20°C, cuts consumption of cyclohexane and sodium hydroxide raw materials, and reduces waste soda discharges by 75%. Both pilot- and commercialscale tests have been completed and the technology is being used by Sinopec to renovate and expand the 70,000 tonne/y cyclohexanone plant of Baling Petrochemical Co Ltd, with capacity increasing to 125,000 tonne/y. Sinopec is also building a 100,000 tonne/y cyclohexanone unit
for Shijiazhuang Chemical Fiber Co Ltd using the new technology. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Oct 2005, 16 (28), 16
Benzene synthesized directly from methane: Mitsubishi Chemical Mitsubishi Chemical has developed a new process for making benzene and hydrogen from coke oven gas (COG) and carbon dioxide derived from waste plant gas. It will start building a 150,000-200,000 tonne/y benzene plant using the technology in 2008. the process uses COG co-produced when coke is manufactured from coal and carbon dioxide from the waste gases from power plants. The initial stage involves the production of methane. The methane is passed over a catalysts in a circulation process to directly produce benzene and hydrogen. COG comprises hydrogen (58%) and methane (28%). Mitsubishi Chemical will use 400,000 tonne/y of COG from its Sakaide plant as feedstock, along with up to 300,000 tonne/y of carbon dioxide contained in the flue gas from Shikoku Electric Power. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Oct 2005, 46 (2337), 1
New robust catalysis for glycol production Davy Process Technology Ltd has come up with a new robust catalyst system that utilises renewable, sugarderived feeds for conversion into glycol. Glycol is generated by utilising glycerol, an undesired byproduct from biodiesel production. The catalyst is a homogenous hydrogenolysis catalyst derived from precious metal salt and organic phosphine ligand. Feedstocks may include alditols and polymers of aldoses. Hydrocarbon Processing, Oct 2005, 84 (10), 28,30
Biodiesel made using ion-exchange catalyst Biodiesel is made by transesterifying vegetable oils with lower alcohols. The usual catalyst is simply sodium hydroxide, but this contaminates the glycerol by-product. A joint development of Mitsubishi Chemical and Tohoku University has shown that an ion-exchange resin, which is easily separated from the glycerol, can be
DECEMBER 2005
Visible light photocatalytic titania developed Sekisui Jushi (Japan) has developed a type of titania photocatalyst which responds to visible light. It incorporates iron and sulfur. It is very effective for decomposing formaldehyde. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Oct 2005, 46 (2337), 2
As clean as concrete Chemical reactions involving photocatalysts now make various selfcleaning surfaces possible. The construction and prefabricated building industries are particularly confident that this technology will open up new market opportunities. Cement surfaces that have been treated with a photocatalytic material are self-cleaning in that materials cannot adhere to them. Kemira’s titanium dioxide research has increasingly shifted towards developing applications. It is believed that the capacity for self-cleaning will have a profound impact on the construction industry in terms of its aesthetic image. Kemira Stakeholder Magazine, Oct 2005, (3), 20-21 (Kemira Oyj, PO Box 330, 00101 Helsinki, Finland. Tel +358 10 8611. Fax +358 10 862 1119. Website: http://www.kemira.com)
Platinum-free fuel cell catalysts Acta SpA (Italy) has developed a family of catalysts (“Hypermec™”) for fuel cells. Their compositions are proprietary but they contain cobalt and nickel and some contain also a “reduced” quantity of platinum. They function in PMFCs, DMFCs, and similar cells using ethanol. Acta has just signed an exclusive distribution agreement for these catalysts with Summit Medi-Chem (a subsidiary of Sumitomo) covering Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Fuelcells Bulletin, Oct 2005, 7 & Japan Chemical Week, 27 Oct 2005, 46 (2340), 3
A new look at olefin optimization New olefin optimization catalysts offer refiners the opportunity to increase
6
ON
C ATA LY S T S
propylene production. According to CMAI, demand for propylene is increasing by 5%/y. Steam crackers have been unable to keep up with demand. Refiners with fluid catalytic catalyst capacity can use new catalysts such as ZSM-5 to boost propylene output. Albemarle expects the olefin optimization catalyst sector to continue to expand. However, a shortage of gasoline could deter some refiners as most operations convert gasoline into propylene. The use of the catalyst additives requires investment in equipment to handle the additional gaseous output. Companies could justify the investment if prices remain high. Engelhard has launched its Maximum Olefin Additive. Albemarle plans to launch a new zeolite catalyst. Chemical Market Reporter, 3 Oct 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Metallocene catalyst-based PP Basell NV has added new grades to its line of metallocene catalyst-based PP resins marketed under the Metocene brand. The peroxide-free grades have been introduced after pre-commercialisation production runs using proprietary Avant M metallocene catalysts in Basell facilities in Wesseling, Germany, and Bayport, TX. They are suitable for melt-blown fibre extrusion uses. High Performance Plastics, Oct 2005, 3
Production of cyclohexanone through biomimetic catalysis A new process for making cyclohexanone, developed at Hunan University, uses biomimetic catalysis in the air oxidation of cyclohexane to double the conversion rate and increase cyclohexanone yield by 10%. The new technology reduces the reaction temperature by 20°C, cuts consumption of cyclohexane and sodium hydroxide raw materials, and reduces waste soda discharges by 75%. Both pilot- and commercialscale tests have been completed and the technology is being used by Sinopec to renovate and expand the 70,000 tonne/y cyclohexanone plant of Baling Petrochemical Co Ltd, with capacity increasing to 125,000 tonne/y. Sinopec is also building a 100,000 tonne/y cyclohexanone unit
for Shijiazhuang Chemical Fiber Co Ltd using the new technology. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Oct 2005, 16 (28), 16
Benzene synthesized directly from methane: Mitsubishi Chemical Mitsubishi Chemical has developed a new process for making benzene and hydrogen from coke oven gas (COG) and carbon dioxide derived from waste plant gas. It will start building a 150,000-200,000 tonne/y benzene plant using the technology in 2008. the process uses COG co-produced when coke is manufactured from coal and carbon dioxide from the waste gases from power plants. The initial stage involves the production of methane. The methane is passed over a catalysts in a circulation process to directly produce benzene and hydrogen. COG comprises hydrogen (58%) and methane (28%). Mitsubishi Chemical will use 400,000 tonne/y of COG from its Sakaide plant as feedstock, along with up to 300,000 tonne/y of carbon dioxide contained in the flue gas from Shikoku Electric Power. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Oct 2005, 46 (2337), 1
New robust catalysis for glycol production Davy Process Technology Ltd has come up with a new robust catalyst system that utilises renewable, sugarderived feeds for conversion into glycol. Glycol is generated by utilising glycerol, an undesired byproduct from biodiesel production. The catalyst is a homogenous hydrogenolysis catalyst derived from precious metal salt and organic phosphine ligand. Feedstocks may include alditols and polymers of aldoses. Hydrocarbon Processing, Oct 2005, 84 (10), 28,30
Biodiesel made using ion-exchange catalyst Biodiesel is made by transesterifying vegetable oils with lower alcohols. The usual catalyst is simply sodium hydroxide, but this contaminates the glycerol by-product. A joint development of Mitsubishi Chemical and Tohoku University has shown that an ion-exchange resin, which is easily separated from the glycerol, can be
DECEMBER 2005