- Email: [email protected]
Daiso introducing US asymmetric synthesis for chiral compounds
F O C U S several of these compounds in the fuel cell environment. They may also be supported on carbon black. Ruthenium selenide and Fe-TMPP have been proven to be particularly effective as selective oxygen electrocatalysts in the mixed-reactant DMFC system. They have also been tested as lower-cost alternatives to platinum in hydrogen PEM fuel cells, but to-date no data have been published to suggest they are selective in the hydrogen-oxygen system and little has been done to optimise their composition or microstructure for use in fuel cells. This new direction in fuel cell development presents undoubted opportunities for catalyst developers to improve upon the activity and selectivity of oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for the DMFC. Auckland University, for example, has a programme to improve upon FeTMPP, and the US Army has published patents on improved Fe-Co porphyrin complexes. The Hahn Meitner Institute in Berlin and Newcastle University in the UK both have research programmes on methanoltolerant ruthenium chalcogenides. Several programmes have been sponsored world-wide to discover more active anode and cathode electrocatalysts using combinatorial synthesis and rapid screening approaches. Perhaps by mining these databases – looking for the catalysts that were active toward oxygen reduction but inactive to hydrogen oxidation – then the selective catalysts needed to enable hydrogenoxygen mixed-reactant fuel cells could be found, too. Perhaps one of the biggest prizes will be for the development of selective catalysts for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Here, the main prize will be to enable direct, high-efficiency operation with hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas and fuel oils while the oxygen entrained in the fuel-air mixture prevents the catalysts coking up. Intriguingly, there is evidence from Japan that some existing SOFC catalysts, such as Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 and nickel offer sufficient selectivity to at least demonstrate mixed-reactant SOFCs. If the mixed-reactant approach can deliver significant cost and performance benefits at the system level, then it will displace the
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separated-reactant approach that has dominated fuel cell design for more than a century and a half. New selective, active, and stable electrocatalysts can help this breakthrough happen. Guest editorial by Michael Priestnall, Head of Fuel Cell Consulting at Generics Group and a co-inventor of the compact-mixed reactant fuel cell ([email protected]). Generics Group is a leading international business and technology consultancy, headquartered in Cambridge, UK
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Catalysis in Mexico The Mexican catalyst scene is reviewed in an extended editorial. The dominant customer for catalysts there is Petròleos Mexicanos (Pemex) which is linked with the Instituto Mexicano del Petròleo (IMP). IMP makes catalysts for Pemex but is not its sole supplier. IMP has the best catalyst testing facilities in Mexico and the only combinatorial equipment in South America. Several Mexican universities have outstanding catalyst research groups and there is a catalyst ‘club’ – the Mexican Academy of Catalysis (ACAT) which organises the Iberoamerica catalysis conferences. Chemical and Engineering News, 28 Jul 2003, 81 (30), 51-55
Gas to liquids – expected world installed capacity A bar chart from Johnson Matthey, entitled Gas to liquids – anticipated world installed capacity, shows the capacity from the year 2000 to 2015, when it is expected to reach 2 M bbl/day. European Chemical News, 1 Sep 2003, 79 (2066), 17
COMPANY NEWS Cooperation between Blue Star and Tioz of Korea On 29 Jul 2003 agreement over a jv photo-catalyst plant was signed
between Tioz of Korea (50%) and China Blue Star Group (50%). The plant will cost $4.0 M and have a capacity of 2000 tonne/y. China Chemical Reporter, 26 Aug 2003, 14 (24), 10
Catalytica Energy Systems reports 2Q 2003 financial results Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, a leading provider of innovative NOx solutions for combustion-related applications, has reported financial results for 2Q 2003 and six months ended 30 Jun 2003. For 2Q 2003, revenues were $959,000 compared with revenues of $1,123,000 for 2Q 2002. Net loss for the quarter was $3,480,000, or a loss of $0.20 per share, compared with a net loss of $5,317,000, or a loss of $0.30 per share, reported in 2Q 2002. Revenues for 1H 2003 were $1,490,000, compared with revenues of $1,772,000 reported in 1H 2002. Net loss for 1H 2003 was $8,035,000, or a loss of $0.46 per share, down from a net loss of $10,537,000, or a loss of $0.60 per share in 1H 2002. The substantial decline in net loss and cash usage in 1H 2003 reflected both the positive impact of cost reduction initiatives implements throughout the organisation over the past several quarters and the payment of a number of non-recurring expenses during 1H 2002. The company’s Xonon catalyst module has now demonstrated 100% availability with NOx levels consistently well below its 3 ppm guarantee through 4000 hours of operation on a Kawasaki gas turbine at Sonoma Developmental Center. Two additional Xononequipped Kawasaki gas turbines have recently been shipped and are expected to enter commercial service in 3Q 2003. During 2Q 2003, the company announced the validation and release of a next generation Xonon catalyst following successful completion of an 8000-hour endurance run in a field demonstration unit at Silicon Valley Power. Catalytica Energy Systems 2Q Results 2003, 31 Jul 2003, 1-4 (Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, Gilbert, AZ, USA. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com)
Daiso introducing US asymmetric synthesis for chiral compounds Optically active pharmaceutical
OCTOBER 2003
F O C U S ingredients are being produced by Daiso using new technology developed by Brandeis University. Dicarboxylic anhydride is reacted with alcohols in the presence of optically active catalysts. Optically active hemiester compounds are produced when the catalysts incorporate frameworks of quinine, quinidine, or other compounds. The molecular structures of the compounds include carboxylic acid and ester groups. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Jul 2003, 44 (2229), 1,3 & Chemical Week, 20 Aug 2003, 165 (29), 21
Diversa and Givaudan announce milestone achievement Diversa Corp and Givaudan Flavors Corp have achieved a key milestone in their collaborative agreement to discover and develop novel enzymes and processes for the cost-effective production of new products for consumer applications. This milestone signifies the successful development of a novel biocatalyst that significantly improves the efficient production of a natural flavour ingredient. The new proprietary bio-catalytic process, which will replace an existing chemical process, is currently being scaled up for pilot plant trials. Under the terms of the collaborative agreement initiated in Jan 2002, Diversa will receive a milestone payment and, upon commercialisation, will receive licence fees and royalties. Press releases from: Diversa Corp, 4955, Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858 526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. Website: http://www.diversa.com; and Givaudan Flavors Corp, 1199, Edison Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45216, USA. Tel: +1 513 948 8000. Fax: +1 513 948 5637. Website: http://www.givaudan.com (3 Sep 2003)
Engelhard’s FCC additive boosts flexibility Engelhard has developed a new additive which enhances the operational flexibility of the catalytic cracking (FCC) systems of petroleum refiners. The additive is claimed to help FCC systems maintain unit activity with heavier crude feedstocks, increase unit conversion and profitability, enhance bottoms recovery, selectively adjust the performance characteristics of a given
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product, and produce a wider range of petroleum products, all without changing the catalyst. The firm’s Distributed Matrix Structure (DMS) technology platform has been used as the basis for the converter. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2003, 110 (7), 23
EnviroFuels obtains private placement Mdechem Inc was incorporated in 1996 to fund R&D into innovative products based on the patented technology of Frank DeFalco and Charles McCoy. The company has developed three products: REV-ERUP, Blue Marble and a fuel-borne catalyst, all of which are now owned by EnviroFuels LP, a partnership in which Mdechem owns 70,000 participation units. As announced in early 2003, EnviroFuels purchased all of Mdechem’s technology and patent rights and entire line of products developed for improving fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines. EnviroFuels has successfully sold new Limited Partnership Units in a Private Placement, raising $530,000 in new equity during 1Q and 2Q 2003. The new infusion provides operating capital needed to continue testing and initiate marketing activities and extend intellectual property rights. Press release from Mdechem Inc, 3505 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057, USA. Tel: +1 713 334 7882. Fax: +1 713 334 7221. Website: http://www.mdechem.com (3 Sep 2003)
Idemitsu to start FCC improvement research Research into a fluid catalytic cracking unit giving a high yield of propylene from heavy oil and byproducts is to be undertaken by Idemitsu Kosan in conjunction with Idemitsu Petrochemical, Mitsui Chemicals, and Sumitomo Chemical. The development is aimed at improving the competitiveness of refineries in relation to facilities in China and the Middle East. Research will be undertaken into increasing the cracking temperature from 500° to 600° which would result in higher yields of aromatics and propylene. Japan Chemical Week, 28 Aug 2003, 44 (2234), 7
Indian Oil Technologies to offer tech solutions to hydrocarbons industry Indian Oil Technologies Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of IOC, was recently started as a marketing outfit for all the technologies developed at the R&D Centre of IOC. Indian Oil Technologies is banking on its 111 patents which include 28 from the US to meet the requirements for new technologies by the hydrocarbon sector in India, Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. The R&D activities of the company, which are basically in refining technology, target fluid catalytic cracking hydroprocessing, catalysis etc. Chemical Weekly, 19 Aug 2003, 48 (52), 128
New GTL technology company FMC Technologies Inc. and Accentus plc of the UK have set up a jv, GTL MicroSystems, which will focus on the development of small-scale gas-toliquids technology. The new company is expected provide technology suitable for small, stranded reserves and gas as by-product of oil production, which are commercially difficult to exploit. GTL MicroSystems expects to provide technology that can allow the commercial development of gas reserves as small as 10 M cu ft/day, or equivalent to 1000 bbl/day, at lower capital cost per barrel than those of traditional, largescale plants. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul-Aug 2003, (264), 9
Kemira’s Ecocat purrs with new growth strategy For 1H 2003, Ecocat, previously known as Kemira Metalkat, reported a 30% rise in sales. The company expects that this increase will be maintained in 2H 2003, because of expansion into new geographical markets and new products. Sales for 2002 were €34 M. In response to clients’ requests, Ecocat is permitting competitors’ substrates to be put onto its own catalysts and for its substrates to be coated with competitors’ products. This action has been taken because of consolidation in automotive supplier sectors. European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 8
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separated-reactant approach that has dominated fuel cell design for more than a century and a half. New selective, active, and stable electrocatalysts can help this breakthrough happen. Guest editorial by Michael Priestnall, Head of Fuel Cell Consulting at Generics Group and a co-inventor of the compact-mixed reactant fuel cell ([email protected]). Generics Group is a leading international business and technology consultancy, headquartered in Cambridge, UK
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Catalysis in Mexico The Mexican catalyst scene is reviewed in an extended editorial. The dominant customer for catalysts there is Petròleos Mexicanos (Pemex) which is linked with the Instituto Mexicano del Petròleo (IMP). IMP makes catalysts for Pemex but is not its sole supplier. IMP has the best catalyst testing facilities in Mexico and the only combinatorial equipment in South America. Several Mexican universities have outstanding catalyst research groups and there is a catalyst ‘club’ – the Mexican Academy of Catalysis (ACAT) which organises the Iberoamerica catalysis conferences. Chemical and Engineering News, 28 Jul 2003, 81 (30), 51-55
Gas to liquids – expected world installed capacity A bar chart from Johnson Matthey, entitled Gas to liquids – anticipated world installed capacity, shows the capacity from the year 2000 to 2015, when it is expected to reach 2 M bbl/day. European Chemical News, 1 Sep 2003, 79 (2066), 17
COMPANY NEWS Cooperation between Blue Star and Tioz of Korea On 29 Jul 2003 agreement over a jv photo-catalyst plant was signed
between Tioz of Korea (50%) and China Blue Star Group (50%). The plant will cost $4.0 M and have a capacity of 2000 tonne/y. China Chemical Reporter, 26 Aug 2003, 14 (24), 10
Catalytica Energy Systems reports 2Q 2003 financial results Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, a leading provider of innovative NOx solutions for combustion-related applications, has reported financial results for 2Q 2003 and six months ended 30 Jun 2003. For 2Q 2003, revenues were $959,000 compared with revenues of $1,123,000 for 2Q 2002. Net loss for the quarter was $3,480,000, or a loss of $0.20 per share, compared with a net loss of $5,317,000, or a loss of $0.30 per share, reported in 2Q 2002. Revenues for 1H 2003 were $1,490,000, compared with revenues of $1,772,000 reported in 1H 2002. Net loss for 1H 2003 was $8,035,000, or a loss of $0.46 per share, down from a net loss of $10,537,000, or a loss of $0.60 per share in 1H 2002. The substantial decline in net loss and cash usage in 1H 2003 reflected both the positive impact of cost reduction initiatives implements throughout the organisation over the past several quarters and the payment of a number of non-recurring expenses during 1H 2002. The company’s Xonon catalyst module has now demonstrated 100% availability with NOx levels consistently well below its 3 ppm guarantee through 4000 hours of operation on a Kawasaki gas turbine at Sonoma Developmental Center. Two additional Xononequipped Kawasaki gas turbines have recently been shipped and are expected to enter commercial service in 3Q 2003. During 2Q 2003, the company announced the validation and release of a next generation Xonon catalyst following successful completion of an 8000-hour endurance run in a field demonstration unit at Silicon Valley Power. Catalytica Energy Systems 2Q Results 2003, 31 Jul 2003, 1-4 (Catalytica Energy Systems Inc, Gilbert, AZ, USA. Website: http://www.catalyticaenergy.com)
Daiso introducing US asymmetric synthesis for chiral compounds Optically active pharmaceutical
OCTOBER 2003
F O C U S ingredients are being produced by Daiso using new technology developed by Brandeis University. Dicarboxylic anhydride is reacted with alcohols in the presence of optically active catalysts. Optically active hemiester compounds are produced when the catalysts incorporate frameworks of quinine, quinidine, or other compounds. The molecular structures of the compounds include carboxylic acid and ester groups. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Jul 2003, 44 (2229), 1,3 & Chemical Week, 20 Aug 2003, 165 (29), 21
Diversa and Givaudan announce milestone achievement Diversa Corp and Givaudan Flavors Corp have achieved a key milestone in their collaborative agreement to discover and develop novel enzymes and processes for the cost-effective production of new products for consumer applications. This milestone signifies the successful development of a novel biocatalyst that significantly improves the efficient production of a natural flavour ingredient. The new proprietary bio-catalytic process, which will replace an existing chemical process, is currently being scaled up for pilot plant trials. Under the terms of the collaborative agreement initiated in Jan 2002, Diversa will receive a milestone payment and, upon commercialisation, will receive licence fees and royalties. Press releases from: Diversa Corp, 4955, Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121-1609, USA. Tel: +1 858 526 5000. Fax: +1 858 526 5551. Website: http://www.diversa.com; and Givaudan Flavors Corp, 1199, Edison Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45216, USA. Tel: +1 513 948 8000. Fax: +1 513 948 5637. Website: http://www.givaudan.com (3 Sep 2003)
Engelhard’s FCC additive boosts flexibility Engelhard has developed a new additive which enhances the operational flexibility of the catalytic cracking (FCC) systems of petroleum refiners. The additive is claimed to help FCC systems maintain unit activity with heavier crude feedstocks, increase unit conversion and profitability, enhance bottoms recovery, selectively adjust the performance characteristics of a given
OCTOBER 2003
O N
C ATA LY S T S
product, and produce a wider range of petroleum products, all without changing the catalyst. The firm’s Distributed Matrix Structure (DMS) technology platform has been used as the basis for the converter. Chemical Engineering (New York), Jul 2003, 110 (7), 23
EnviroFuels obtains private placement Mdechem Inc was incorporated in 1996 to fund R&D into innovative products based on the patented technology of Frank DeFalco and Charles McCoy. The company has developed three products: REV-ERUP, Blue Marble and a fuel-borne catalyst, all of which are now owned by EnviroFuels LP, a partnership in which Mdechem owns 70,000 participation units. As announced in early 2003, EnviroFuels purchased all of Mdechem’s technology and patent rights and entire line of products developed for improving fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines. EnviroFuels has successfully sold new Limited Partnership Units in a Private Placement, raising $530,000 in new equity during 1Q and 2Q 2003. The new infusion provides operating capital needed to continue testing and initiate marketing activities and extend intellectual property rights. Press release from Mdechem Inc, 3505 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057, USA. Tel: +1 713 334 7882. Fax: +1 713 334 7221. Website: http://www.mdechem.com (3 Sep 2003)
Idemitsu to start FCC improvement research Research into a fluid catalytic cracking unit giving a high yield of propylene from heavy oil and byproducts is to be undertaken by Idemitsu Kosan in conjunction with Idemitsu Petrochemical, Mitsui Chemicals, and Sumitomo Chemical. The development is aimed at improving the competitiveness of refineries in relation to facilities in China and the Middle East. Research will be undertaken into increasing the cracking temperature from 500° to 600° which would result in higher yields of aromatics and propylene. Japan Chemical Week, 28 Aug 2003, 44 (2234), 7
Indian Oil Technologies to offer tech solutions to hydrocarbons industry Indian Oil Technologies Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of IOC, was recently started as a marketing outfit for all the technologies developed at the R&D Centre of IOC. Indian Oil Technologies is banking on its 111 patents which include 28 from the US to meet the requirements for new technologies by the hydrocarbon sector in India, Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. The R&D activities of the company, which are basically in refining technology, target fluid catalytic cracking hydroprocessing, catalysis etc. Chemical Weekly, 19 Aug 2003, 48 (52), 128
New GTL technology company FMC Technologies Inc. and Accentus plc of the UK have set up a jv, GTL MicroSystems, which will focus on the development of small-scale gas-toliquids technology. The new company is expected provide technology suitable for small, stranded reserves and gas as by-product of oil production, which are commercially difficult to exploit. GTL MicroSystems expects to provide technology that can allow the commercial development of gas reserves as small as 10 M cu ft/day, or equivalent to 1000 bbl/day, at lower capital cost per barrel than those of traditional, largescale plants. Nitrogen and Methanol, Jul-Aug 2003, (264), 9
Kemira’s Ecocat purrs with new growth strategy For 1H 2003, Ecocat, previously known as Kemira Metalkat, reported a 30% rise in sales. The company expects that this increase will be maintained in 2H 2003, because of expansion into new geographical markets and new products. Sales for 2002 were €34 M. In response to clients’ requests, Ecocat is permitting competitors’ substrates to be put onto its own catalysts and for its substrates to be coated with competitors’ products. This action has been taken because of consolidation in automotive supplier sectors. European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 8
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