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Asahi Kasei develops catalytic cracking route to propylene
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NanoKinetix, has developed a nanocatalyst based on its proprietary NxCat technology, which significantly improves the upgrading of gasoline feedstock, commonly referred to as naphtha reforming. In side-by-side third-party laboratory comparisons with some of the industry’s best reforming catalysts, the NxCat catalyst produced an increase in octane, which was the equivalent of going from regular-grade to premiumgrade gasoline. Additionally, a significant increase in hydrogen production was achieved. NxCat reforming catalysts are expected to enable refiners to improve their gasoline and petrochemical economics by more cost-effectively producing a premium-quality gasoline. Beyond the gasoline market, the NxCat reforming catalyst may also be used to produce more high-value petrochemical raw materials for the synthetic fibres and plastics industries.
Ethyl benzene production based on catalytically-cracked dry gas
Press release from: Headwaters Inc, 11778, S Election Road, Suite 210, Draper, UT 84020, USA. Tel: +1 801 984 9400. Fax: +1 801 984 9410. Website: http://www.hdwtrs.com (8 Mar 2005)
ABB Lummus Global, Albemarle Corp, and Fortum Oil have successfully completed the demonstration phase for their new AlkyClean alkylation process. The demonstration unit is located in Fortum’s Porvoo refinery in Finland and started operation in Mar 2002. The AkylClean process uses a novel solid catalyst for making a clean fuel gasoline blendstock, alkylate, instead of the sulfuric/hydrofluoric acid mixture as in the conventional alkylation process which is corrosive and potentially hazardous. The catalyst has exhibited stability, good regenerability, and tolerance to contaminants.
Asahi Kasei develops catalytic cracking route to propylene Asahi Kasei Chemicals is developing a catalytic cracking process for turning C4 and C5 raffinate streams from petrochemical plants and refineries into propylene and ethylene in a ratio 4:1. The company is to erect a commercial-scale unit at Mizushima, Japan, to validate the process. Use of the process together with other technologies to use kerosene, diesel, and other heavier-fraction feedstocks, will greatly increase operating flexibility at the site. The Mizushima plant is expected onstream in early 2006. Chemical Week, 23 Mar 2005, 167 (10)
Styrene from ethane Dow Chemical and Snamprogetti are developing a new process for making styrene from benzene and ethane, instead of benzene and ethylene. Chemical & Engineering News, 11 Apr 2005, 83 (15), 12 & Press release from: The Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48674, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1463. Fax: +1 989 636 1830. Website: http://www.dow.com (5 Apr 2005)
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Third generation technology for making ethyl benzene from catalytically-cracked dry gas, developed at the Dalian Research Institute of Chemistry and Physics, has been transferred to Jinxi Refining & Chemical Plant and Jinzhou Petrochemical Co Ltd. Plant capacities for these contracted projects are 60,000 tonne/y and 80,000 tonne/y respectively. Agreements are due to be signed with Linyuan Petrochemical Plant and the Hainan Refinery, on projects for 100,000 tonne/y and 80,000 tonne/y respectively. Facilities will be completed in 2006. Fourth-generation technology is being developed. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Mar 2005, 16 (7), 14
AlkyClean process completes demonstration phase
Chemical Engineering World, Feb 2005, 40 (2), 16
Novel class of ionic liquids for biocatalysis Scionix Ltd, in association with Leicester University and C-Tech innovation, has developed a userfriendly pack of Deep Eutectic Solvents applicable for biocatalytic reactions. Deep Eutectic Solvents can be used like any other non-aqueous solvent for biocatalysis. The potential benefits of carrying biocatalytic processes in these liquids include extended enzyme stability, potential for product selectivity, and high substrate solubility. The pack contains
four Deep Eutectic Solvents with different properties and information on performance. It is designed to give researchers the opportunity to become familiar with handling these solvents and to identify the benefits of Deep Eutectic Solvents. Press release from: Scionix Ltd, 298 Regents Park Road, Finchley, London, N3 2UA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 8371 3905 (28 Feb 2005)
Innovative enzymes put a new spin on detergents Laundry and dishwasher detergent companies are developing new detergent enzymes in a bid to boost sales. The market has been stagnating for a number of years but is now starting to grow. Enzymes are just beginning to be included in detergents for China and S E Asia. Novozymes has launched Stainzyme and Polarzyme which allow increased detergent action at lower washing temperatures. Henkel and Biotechnology Research and Information Network (BRAIN) AG are collaborating on the development of novel proteases from a library of uncultivated microorganisms. US demand for detergent enzymes was around $140 M in 2003. Chemical Market Reporter, 28 Mar 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Net Posten, 15 Mar 2005 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish) & BioTimes (Novozymes’ Enzyme e-zine), Mar 2005, (1), 8-9 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. Website: http://www.novozymes.com/biotimes) & Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, Bagsvaerd 2880, Denmark. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (15 Mar 2005)
Proteus develops new biocatalyst Proteus, along with Degussa, has discovered and developed a highly thermostable esterase biocatalyst from a Pyrococcus sp. A simple, efficient and reliable production process using E coli, along with high esterase concentration and product recovery yield have made Pyrococcus esterase economically challenging for the industrial production of fine chemicals. Proteus, which is a chief biotechnology company in the discovery, engineering, and process development of novel proteins, also provides synthesis routes for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, fine
MAY 2005
ON
C ATA LY S T S
NanoKinetix, has developed a nanocatalyst based on its proprietary NxCat technology, which significantly improves the upgrading of gasoline feedstock, commonly referred to as naphtha reforming. In side-by-side third-party laboratory comparisons with some of the industry’s best reforming catalysts, the NxCat catalyst produced an increase in octane, which was the equivalent of going from regular-grade to premiumgrade gasoline. Additionally, a significant increase in hydrogen production was achieved. NxCat reforming catalysts are expected to enable refiners to improve their gasoline and petrochemical economics by more cost-effectively producing a premium-quality gasoline. Beyond the gasoline market, the NxCat reforming catalyst may also be used to produce more high-value petrochemical raw materials for the synthetic fibres and plastics industries.
Ethyl benzene production based on catalytically-cracked dry gas
Press release from: Headwaters Inc, 11778, S Election Road, Suite 210, Draper, UT 84020, USA. Tel: +1 801 984 9400. Fax: +1 801 984 9410. Website: http://www.hdwtrs.com (8 Mar 2005)
ABB Lummus Global, Albemarle Corp, and Fortum Oil have successfully completed the demonstration phase for their new AlkyClean alkylation process. The demonstration unit is located in Fortum’s Porvoo refinery in Finland and started operation in Mar 2002. The AkylClean process uses a novel solid catalyst for making a clean fuel gasoline blendstock, alkylate, instead of the sulfuric/hydrofluoric acid mixture as in the conventional alkylation process which is corrosive and potentially hazardous. The catalyst has exhibited stability, good regenerability, and tolerance to contaminants.
Asahi Kasei develops catalytic cracking route to propylene Asahi Kasei Chemicals is developing a catalytic cracking process for turning C4 and C5 raffinate streams from petrochemical plants and refineries into propylene and ethylene in a ratio 4:1. The company is to erect a commercial-scale unit at Mizushima, Japan, to validate the process. Use of the process together with other technologies to use kerosene, diesel, and other heavier-fraction feedstocks, will greatly increase operating flexibility at the site. The Mizushima plant is expected onstream in early 2006. Chemical Week, 23 Mar 2005, 167 (10)
Styrene from ethane Dow Chemical and Snamprogetti are developing a new process for making styrene from benzene and ethane, instead of benzene and ethylene. Chemical & Engineering News, 11 Apr 2005, 83 (15), 12 & Press release from: The Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48674, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1463. Fax: +1 989 636 1830. Website: http://www.dow.com (5 Apr 2005)
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Third generation technology for making ethyl benzene from catalytically-cracked dry gas, developed at the Dalian Research Institute of Chemistry and Physics, has been transferred to Jinxi Refining & Chemical Plant and Jinzhou Petrochemical Co Ltd. Plant capacities for these contracted projects are 60,000 tonne/y and 80,000 tonne/y respectively. Agreements are due to be signed with Linyuan Petrochemical Plant and the Hainan Refinery, on projects for 100,000 tonne/y and 80,000 tonne/y respectively. Facilities will be completed in 2006. Fourth-generation technology is being developed. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Mar 2005, 16 (7), 14
AlkyClean process completes demonstration phase
Chemical Engineering World, Feb 2005, 40 (2), 16
Novel class of ionic liquids for biocatalysis Scionix Ltd, in association with Leicester University and C-Tech innovation, has developed a userfriendly pack of Deep Eutectic Solvents applicable for biocatalytic reactions. Deep Eutectic Solvents can be used like any other non-aqueous solvent for biocatalysis. The potential benefits of carrying biocatalytic processes in these liquids include extended enzyme stability, potential for product selectivity, and high substrate solubility. The pack contains
four Deep Eutectic Solvents with different properties and information on performance. It is designed to give researchers the opportunity to become familiar with handling these solvents and to identify the benefits of Deep Eutectic Solvents. Press release from: Scionix Ltd, 298 Regents Park Road, Finchley, London, N3 2UA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 8371 3905 (28 Feb 2005)
Innovative enzymes put a new spin on detergents Laundry and dishwasher detergent companies are developing new detergent enzymes in a bid to boost sales. The market has been stagnating for a number of years but is now starting to grow. Enzymes are just beginning to be included in detergents for China and S E Asia. Novozymes has launched Stainzyme and Polarzyme which allow increased detergent action at lower washing temperatures. Henkel and Biotechnology Research and Information Network (BRAIN) AG are collaborating on the development of novel proteases from a library of uncultivated microorganisms. US demand for detergent enzymes was around $140 M in 2003. Chemical Market Reporter, 28 Mar 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & Net Posten, 15 Mar 2005 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish) & BioTimes (Novozymes’ Enzyme e-zine), Mar 2005, (1), 8-9 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. Website: http://www.novozymes.com/biotimes) & Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, Bagsvaerd 2880, Denmark. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (15 Mar 2005)
Proteus develops new biocatalyst Proteus, along with Degussa, has discovered and developed a highly thermostable esterase biocatalyst from a Pyrococcus sp. A simple, efficient and reliable production process using E coli, along with high esterase concentration and product recovery yield have made Pyrococcus esterase economically challenging for the industrial production of fine chemicals. Proteus, which is a chief biotechnology company in the discovery, engineering, and process development of novel proteins, also provides synthesis routes for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, fine
MAY 2005