- Email: [email protected]
Danisco: new technology for denim bleaching and dyeing
F O C U S the technology at a 20,000 tonne/y pilot plant at Delfzijl since Mar 2008 to produce bio-methanol. BioMCN hopes to complete the commercial-scale plant by end-2009. In Oct 2008, BioMCN received the European Responsible Care Award for the technology for its potential to cut GHG emissions by more than 70%, as well as to prevent certain of the negative effects that are commonly linked to some other kinds of biofuels. Use of BioMCN’s bio-methanol could help in achieving the EU’s biofuels targets – 5.75% replacement by 2010, and 10% replacement by 2020. The availability of glycerol will also likely expand in the near term with the increasing role of biodiesel in meeting these targets. In 2007, the EU produced as much as 5.5 M tonnes of glycerol, up by nearly 2 M tonnes compared with 2005 levels. Nitrogen + Syngas, Jan/Feb 2009, (297), 12
ZeaChem selects CH2M HILL as contractor for first biorefinery ZeaChem Inc has selected CH2M HILL as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor for its first biorefinery and engineering is currently underway. CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management, and operations for government, civil, industrial, and energy clients. Set to begin construction in 2009, the biorefinery is slated for a proposed site in Boardman, OR. Funding for the plant will come in part from ZeaChem’s recent funding round totalling $34 M. Press release from: A&R Edelman, 201 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA. Tel: +1 650 762 2800. Fax: +1 650 762 2801. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.arpartners.com (23 Feb 2009)
NEW TECHNOLOGY Mitsubishi to start making butadiene from butane Mitsubishi Chemical Corp (MCC) intends to pursue industrial use for a butene-to-butadiene production technology that utilizes a proprietary
6
O N
C ATA LY S T S
catalyst within 2010 after receipt of a firm order. The technology was tested in a pilot plant at MCC’s Mizushima factory in Japan. European Rubber Journal, Jan/Feb 2009, 191 (1), 12
Gold-palladium nanoparticles achieve greener, smarter production of hydrogen peroxide Chemists and materials scientists from the UK and the US report that a carefully tailored alloy of palladium and gold nanoparticles catalyzes the direct production of H2O2 while “switching off” the decomposition of the compound. The breakthrough, which culminates more than five years of research on the topic, promises to enable the on-site production of H2O2 in smaller quantities and more desirable concentrations. In an article in the 20 Feb 2009 issue of Science, the group says the decomposition of H2O2 can be greatly reduced by depositing gold-palladium nanoparticles on a high-surface-area carbon support that has first been washed with nitric acid. The pretreatment decreases the average size of the particles from a range of 2 to 70 nanometers to a range of 2 to 25 nm. The washing also results in a more effective spatial distribution of the nanoparticles, enabling them to block the active sites on the carbon support that are responsible for the decomposition of H2O2. Nanite News, 24 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.nanitenews.com)
Black liquor-to-gas technology gets US funding NewPage Technology has received a $300,000 grant from the US Department of Energy for partial funding of a $1.2 M feasibility study on the possible integration of a black liquor-based biorefinery technology into the company’s pulp and paper mill operations in Michigan, USA. NewPage is considering using the Chemrec technology to process black liquor waste generated from pulp and paper operations into a syngas, which in turn, can be utilized for power generation or for the production of liquid transport fuels. If found viable, NewPage will likely set up large-scale gasification systems based on the
technology so as to manufacture second generation biofuels. Nitrogen + Syngas, Jan/Feb 2009, (297), 14
New visible light photocatalyst to be piloted Hitherto, most photocatalysts have been based on titania. Showa Denko, funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Organization, has invented a new photocatalyst based on copper-doped tungsten oxide which works with visible light. They have built a pilot plant for making it and expect to distribute samples soon. The product needs further development because it has poor alkali resistance. NEDO predicts that the photocatalyst market, now estimated at Yen 100 bn/y, could grow to about Yen 2.8 trn/y if better products became available. Japan Chemical Week, 5 Feb 2009, 50 (2501), 1,2
Plastics from CO2 The Norner Centre for Innovation and Technology in Norway (a subsidiary of the Borealis Innovation Centre) is to invest NKR 25 M over 4 years in making plastic from carbon dioxide. Researchers at the Borealis Centre have already developed technology for transforming gases (particularly carbon dioxide) into solids by using catalysts. Now the researchers will have to find suitable catalysts and develop production processes. They will also have to test the mechanical and physical properties of the resulting plastics (which may contain up to 50% CO2). The project is being supported by the Norwegian Research Council in association with industrial partners including Superfos and Yara. Yara will be able to supply the CO2 needed. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 23 Feb 2009, (456), 7 (in French)
Danisco: new technology for denim bleaching and dyeing Genencor, a division of Danisco, has announced its new ready-mixed enzyme product PrimaGreen EcoFade LT100 for the bleaching and dyeing of denim. The product contains a combination of laccase and a new type of mediator which make possible the creation of an entirely new look and at the same time is
APRIL 2009
F O C U S environmentally friendly. The new technology is low energy and permits bleaching at neutral pH values and low temperatures, which means a reduction in the use of rinse water and neutralization chemicals. Genencor believes the technology will allow textile producers to cut their heating energy for denim bleaching by up to 90%. Net Posten, 16 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
Novozymes on track with new enzymes for cellulosic ethanol Novozymes has cut cellulosic ethanol enzyme costs by more than half and is on track to deliver the first commercially viable enzymes by 2010, an important step on the way to enabling the commercial success of cellulosic ethanol. At the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio in Texas, Executive Vice President Peder Holk Nielsen presented the progress achieved by Novozymes’ latest second-generation enzyme products. This new enzyme family is the highest performing and most costeffective enzyme solution available today. Second-generation cellulosic ethanol uses enzymes to break down cellulosic waste materials such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips into sugars that can be fermented into ethanol. Novozymes’ newest enzyme product family has been proven to work on many different feedstock types. Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 4446 0000. Fax: +45 4446 9999. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (24 Feb 2009)
Nisshinbo’s carbon-based fuel cell catalyst drawing closer to launch Japanese firm Nisshinbo Industries aims to begin supplying samples of carbon-alloy catalyst in 2009 as an affordable alternative to platinumbased catalysts in hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst has an oxidation-reduction potential of 0.85 V compared with 1.05 V in platinum-based catalyst. The company plans to develop a range of materials, components, and systems for applications in hydrogen production machinery, hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-storage equipment. Nisshinbo Industries has already
APRIL 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
begun marketing electric double-layer capacitors for use in storing electricity produced by fuel cells as well as carbon-based separators for stationary fuel cell applications. Japan Chemical Week, 19 Feb 2009, 50 (2503), 4
ENVIRONMENT NOx removed from road tunnel exhaust The German company Ecovac has developed a system for removing NOx from the air exhausted from road tunnels. Particles are removed with fibrous filters, and the NO is catalytically oxidised to NO2 over activated alumina doped with a permanganate. The NOx remains fixed as nitrate. The spent absorbent is proposed for use as a fertiliser. AECC Newsletter, Jan-Feb 2009, 12
Morphic Technology uses enzymes to capture and convert CO2 The Swedish engineering firm Morphic Technology has been awarded a patent for a new method for collecting and extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere which involves treating the surface of wind turbine blades with special enzymes. The process is the same as that occurring in the removal of CO2 from blood in human physiology. The method also involves the conversion of CO2 to methanol, which requires just water and electricity. The method works in the laboratory but Morphic has yet to build a prototype which can demonstrate that the principle can be applied in practice with normal wind turbines operations. Net Posten, 11 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
PATENTS New catalyst for direct hydrogen peroxide production The synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen, in solution, catalysed by a supported noble metal, has been known for over 20 years. The preferred catalyst is a gold/palladium alloy, on an inorganic
support such as titania or titanium silicalite. This patent teaches that the yield of hydrogen peroxide is increased if the catalyst contains a thiol or a thiolate. This is an unexpected observation because sulfur compounds usually deactivate noble metals. The resulting peroxide solution may be used directly for organic oxidation reactions. US 7,501,532, Lyondell Chemical Technology, Greenville, DE, USA, 10 Mar 2009
Apparatus for grinding catalyst samples for combinatorial assessment Combinatorial methods for scanning large numbers of small laboratory samples for a variety of properties, including catalytic activity, are well established. Heterogeneous catalysts need to be presented to the equipment in the form in which they are ultimately to be used – usually as powders or formed particles. A machine in which four solid samples can be crushed, ground, or otherwise treated automatically before testing is described here. US 7,503,515, Symyx Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA, 17 Mar 2009
Conversion of alkylene oxides to glycols The hydration of alkylene oxides is catalysed by carbon dioxide plus an organic base immobilised on a solid support It is hypothesised that an alkylene carbonate is formed as an intermediate. US 7,504,545, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA, 17 Mar 2009
Mixed oxide catalysts for fluorine exchange Mixed chromium/nickel oxides, optionally containing cobalt, are good catalysts for making organic fluorine compounds by halogen exchange. US 7,504,358, EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co, Wilmington, DE, USA, 17 Mar 2009
Perovskite catalysts and supports Perovskites such as lanthanum aluminate, made by heating aluminas with a lanthanum nitrate solution, combine high surface areas with stability at high temperatures. They
7
ZeaChem selects CH2M HILL as contractor for first biorefinery ZeaChem Inc has selected CH2M HILL as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor for its first biorefinery and engineering is currently underway. CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management, and operations for government, civil, industrial, and energy clients. Set to begin construction in 2009, the biorefinery is slated for a proposed site in Boardman, OR. Funding for the plant will come in part from ZeaChem’s recent funding round totalling $34 M. Press release from: A&R Edelman, 201 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA. Tel: +1 650 762 2800. Fax: +1 650 762 2801. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.arpartners.com (23 Feb 2009)
NEW TECHNOLOGY Mitsubishi to start making butadiene from butane Mitsubishi Chemical Corp (MCC) intends to pursue industrial use for a butene-to-butadiene production technology that utilizes a proprietary
6
O N
C ATA LY S T S
catalyst within 2010 after receipt of a firm order. The technology was tested in a pilot plant at MCC’s Mizushima factory in Japan. European Rubber Journal, Jan/Feb 2009, 191 (1), 12
Gold-palladium nanoparticles achieve greener, smarter production of hydrogen peroxide Chemists and materials scientists from the UK and the US report that a carefully tailored alloy of palladium and gold nanoparticles catalyzes the direct production of H2O2 while “switching off” the decomposition of the compound. The breakthrough, which culminates more than five years of research on the topic, promises to enable the on-site production of H2O2 in smaller quantities and more desirable concentrations. In an article in the 20 Feb 2009 issue of Science, the group says the decomposition of H2O2 can be greatly reduced by depositing gold-palladium nanoparticles on a high-surface-area carbon support that has first been washed with nitric acid. The pretreatment decreases the average size of the particles from a range of 2 to 70 nanometers to a range of 2 to 25 nm. The washing also results in a more effective spatial distribution of the nanoparticles, enabling them to block the active sites on the carbon support that are responsible for the decomposition of H2O2. Nanite News, 24 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.nanitenews.com)
Black liquor-to-gas technology gets US funding NewPage Technology has received a $300,000 grant from the US Department of Energy for partial funding of a $1.2 M feasibility study on the possible integration of a black liquor-based biorefinery technology into the company’s pulp and paper mill operations in Michigan, USA. NewPage is considering using the Chemrec technology to process black liquor waste generated from pulp and paper operations into a syngas, which in turn, can be utilized for power generation or for the production of liquid transport fuels. If found viable, NewPage will likely set up large-scale gasification systems based on the
technology so as to manufacture second generation biofuels. Nitrogen + Syngas, Jan/Feb 2009, (297), 14
New visible light photocatalyst to be piloted Hitherto, most photocatalysts have been based on titania. Showa Denko, funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Organization, has invented a new photocatalyst based on copper-doped tungsten oxide which works with visible light. They have built a pilot plant for making it and expect to distribute samples soon. The product needs further development because it has poor alkali resistance. NEDO predicts that the photocatalyst market, now estimated at Yen 100 bn/y, could grow to about Yen 2.8 trn/y if better products became available. Japan Chemical Week, 5 Feb 2009, 50 (2501), 1,2
Plastics from CO2 The Norner Centre for Innovation and Technology in Norway (a subsidiary of the Borealis Innovation Centre) is to invest NKR 25 M over 4 years in making plastic from carbon dioxide. Researchers at the Borealis Centre have already developed technology for transforming gases (particularly carbon dioxide) into solids by using catalysts. Now the researchers will have to find suitable catalysts and develop production processes. They will also have to test the mechanical and physical properties of the resulting plastics (which may contain up to 50% CO2). The project is being supported by the Norwegian Research Council in association with industrial partners including Superfos and Yara. Yara will be able to supply the CO2 needed. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 23 Feb 2009, (456), 7 (in French)
Danisco: new technology for denim bleaching and dyeing Genencor, a division of Danisco, has announced its new ready-mixed enzyme product PrimaGreen EcoFade LT100 for the bleaching and dyeing of denim. The product contains a combination of laccase and a new type of mediator which make possible the creation of an entirely new look and at the same time is
APRIL 2009
F O C U S environmentally friendly. The new technology is low energy and permits bleaching at neutral pH values and low temperatures, which means a reduction in the use of rinse water and neutralization chemicals. Genencor believes the technology will allow textile producers to cut their heating energy for denim bleaching by up to 90%. Net Posten, 16 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
Novozymes on track with new enzymes for cellulosic ethanol Novozymes has cut cellulosic ethanol enzyme costs by more than half and is on track to deliver the first commercially viable enzymes by 2010, an important step on the way to enabling the commercial success of cellulosic ethanol. At the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio in Texas, Executive Vice President Peder Holk Nielsen presented the progress achieved by Novozymes’ latest second-generation enzyme products. This new enzyme family is the highest performing and most costeffective enzyme solution available today. Second-generation cellulosic ethanol uses enzymes to break down cellulosic waste materials such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips into sugars that can be fermented into ethanol. Novozymes’ newest enzyme product family has been proven to work on many different feedstock types. Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 4446 0000. Fax: +45 4446 9999. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (24 Feb 2009)
Nisshinbo’s carbon-based fuel cell catalyst drawing closer to launch Japanese firm Nisshinbo Industries aims to begin supplying samples of carbon-alloy catalyst in 2009 as an affordable alternative to platinumbased catalysts in hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst has an oxidation-reduction potential of 0.85 V compared with 1.05 V in platinum-based catalyst. The company plans to develop a range of materials, components, and systems for applications in hydrogen production machinery, hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-storage equipment. Nisshinbo Industries has already
APRIL 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
begun marketing electric double-layer capacitors for use in storing electricity produced by fuel cells as well as carbon-based separators for stationary fuel cell applications. Japan Chemical Week, 19 Feb 2009, 50 (2503), 4
ENVIRONMENT NOx removed from road tunnel exhaust The German company Ecovac has developed a system for removing NOx from the air exhausted from road tunnels. Particles are removed with fibrous filters, and the NO is catalytically oxidised to NO2 over activated alumina doped with a permanganate. The NOx remains fixed as nitrate. The spent absorbent is proposed for use as a fertiliser. AECC Newsletter, Jan-Feb 2009, 12
Morphic Technology uses enzymes to capture and convert CO2 The Swedish engineering firm Morphic Technology has been awarded a patent for a new method for collecting and extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere which involves treating the surface of wind turbine blades with special enzymes. The process is the same as that occurring in the removal of CO2 from blood in human physiology. The method also involves the conversion of CO2 to methanol, which requires just water and electricity. The method works in the laboratory but Morphic has yet to build a prototype which can demonstrate that the principle can be applied in practice with normal wind turbines operations. Net Posten, 11 Feb 2009 (Website: http://www.netposten.dk/) (in Danish)
PATENTS New catalyst for direct hydrogen peroxide production The synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen, in solution, catalysed by a supported noble metal, has been known for over 20 years. The preferred catalyst is a gold/palladium alloy, on an inorganic
support such as titania or titanium silicalite. This patent teaches that the yield of hydrogen peroxide is increased if the catalyst contains a thiol or a thiolate. This is an unexpected observation because sulfur compounds usually deactivate noble metals. The resulting peroxide solution may be used directly for organic oxidation reactions. US 7,501,532, Lyondell Chemical Technology, Greenville, DE, USA, 10 Mar 2009
Apparatus for grinding catalyst samples for combinatorial assessment Combinatorial methods for scanning large numbers of small laboratory samples for a variety of properties, including catalytic activity, are well established. Heterogeneous catalysts need to be presented to the equipment in the form in which they are ultimately to be used – usually as powders or formed particles. A machine in which four solid samples can be crushed, ground, or otherwise treated automatically before testing is described here. US 7,503,515, Symyx Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA, 17 Mar 2009
Conversion of alkylene oxides to glycols The hydration of alkylene oxides is catalysed by carbon dioxide plus an organic base immobilised on a solid support It is hypothesised that an alkylene carbonate is formed as an intermediate. US 7,504,545, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA, 17 Mar 2009
Mixed oxide catalysts for fluorine exchange Mixed chromium/nickel oxides, optionally containing cobalt, are good catalysts for making organic fluorine compounds by halogen exchange. US 7,504,358, EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co, Wilmington, DE, USA, 17 Mar 2009
Perovskite catalysts and supports Perovskites such as lanthanum aluminate, made by heating aluminas with a lanthanum nitrate solution, combine high surface areas with stability at high temperatures. They
7