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Denitrogenation prior to hydrodesulfurization
F O C U S
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Industry seeks alternative feedstocks as oil price continues to surge
stover, native prairie grasses such as switchgrass, wheat, and rice straw.
Ahlstrom and Icare develop anti-odour active carbon filters
The search for cost-effective, alternative feedstock continues to intensify in the wake of the surging oil price, which has topped the $100/bbl mark. UOP, which has been developing its methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process, is touting the benefits of a project that integrated MTO with the Olefin Cracking Process (OCP) technology it developed in coordination with France’s Total Petrochemicals. UOP said that integrating the two processes eliminates by-products as it converts the butenes by-product from the MTO into ethylene/propylene. The process also allows higher yield to minimize the amount of methanol feedstock required. UOP said that some $200300 M can be saved by integrating the OCP into a coal-to-olefins plant in Asia. UOP and Total are set to complete an integrated MTO/OCP pilot plant in Feluy, Belgium, with mechanical completion due in Apr 2008 and startup expected in 3Q 2008. The MTO/OCP process will see its first commercial application in Nigeria for Eurochem subsidiary Viva Methanol. The technology will be used in a Lagos plant that will make 1.3 M tonne/y of ethylene and propylene using methanol sourced from the region’s natural gas. The plant will come online in 2012.
Press release from: Alternative Energy Technology Center Inc, 1240 Blalock Road, Suite 150, Houston, TX 77055, USA. Website: http://www.altenergytechcenter.com)(24 Mar 2008)
Ahlstrom and Icare have just developed anti-odour systems. These comprise active-carbon filters with a photo catalytic system to destroy polluting molecules emitted by industrial sludge. The first unit stocks and treats 3200 tonnes of sludge with an area of 1500 square metres. There are 1000 sites in France which could use this process.
ICIS Chemical Business, 17 Mar 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
AETE technology unveiled Commercially viable ethanol from cellulosic biomass has been an elusive and much sought after process solution for the alternative fuels industry. The Alternative Energy Technology Center Inc (AETE) is in the completion phase of its design and build programme of a 20-100 tonne/day vertically integrated biorefining system that produces ethanol, gasoline, diesel, and other lubricants as well as a number of intermediate compounds. The entire biorefining system, completely modular in its construction, is capable of using several forms of cellulosic biomass including forestry (hard and soft woods) and agricultural waste in the form of dedicated feedstocks, corn
MAY 2008
Petrobras signs biofuel cooperation deal with KiOR Brazil’s federal oil company Petroleo Brasileiro S/A (Petrobras), and US firm KiOR Inc signed a cooperation agreement over the development of second-generation biofuel. The plan is to use plant waste materials to produce bio-oil with the help of KiOR’s biomass catalytic cracking technology. According to Petrobras, “secondgeneration biofuels don’t compete with foodstuff plants.” Petrobras’s Cenpes research centre has been studying the production of bio-oil from sugarcane bagasse since 2006. First tests in semi-industrial units are scheduled for 2009. Press release from: KiOR (12 Mar 2008) & Oil & Gas Journal, 17 Mar 2008, 106 (11), 35
ENVIRONMENT Catalytic process reduces N2O emissions at Thai caprolactam plant Ube Industries Ltd and Mitsubishi Corp have been jointly developing a process to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) in Thailand. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project, which reduces N2O from caprolactam production, is being undertaken at a plant owned by Thai Caprolactam Public Co Ltd, a UBE subsidiary. This is the world’s first CDM project for the abatement of N2O arising from caprolactam production. It is also the first CDM project in the chemical sector approved by the Thai government. The aim of the project is to reduce the amount of N2O emissions from the plant, and to gain some 170,000 (CO2 tonne equivalent) Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits per year from Jul 2008 onward, by means of the catalytic abatement plant set up by TCL. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi plans to sell the emission reduction credits obtained via this project. Press release from: Ube Industries Ltd, Japan. Website: http://www.ube-ind.co.jp (19 Mar 2008)
Double Liaison, Mar 2008, 1 (561), 22 (in French)
PATENTS Benzene from methane A process for the partial oxidation of benzene which maximises the yield of benzene. Methane is diluted with carbon dioxide, mixed with oxygen, and passed into a catalytic reactor at 600–1500° C. Two catalysts are used: manganese nitrate, and a mixed oxide of W,Mn,La,Sr. US 7,355,088, Saudi Basic Industries Corp, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8 Apr 2008
Improved Claus process A variation of the conventional Claus process (which converts H2S to S) in which the usual burner is replaced by a short contact-time partial oxidation reactor. The catalyst is either a metal gauze or Rh on a lanthanum-modified refractory support. This system solves several of the common problems – hydrocarbon contamination of the feed, excessive CO2 in the feed, ammonia in the feed, long residence time, and excessive pressure drop. US 7,357,908, ConocoPhillips Co, Houston, TX, USA, 15 Apr 2008
Denitrogenation prior to hydrodesulfurization A process for removing nitrogen compounds from naphtha prior to hydrodesulfurization, which minimises olefin loss. Two treatments are used: an acidic adsorbent (eg an ion exchange resin), followed by and a polar adorbent (eg alumina). US 7,357,856, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co, Annandale, NJ, USA, 15 Apr 2008
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O N
C ATA LY S T S
Industry seeks alternative feedstocks as oil price continues to surge
stover, native prairie grasses such as switchgrass, wheat, and rice straw.
Ahlstrom and Icare develop anti-odour active carbon filters
The search for cost-effective, alternative feedstock continues to intensify in the wake of the surging oil price, which has topped the $100/bbl mark. UOP, which has been developing its methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process, is touting the benefits of a project that integrated MTO with the Olefin Cracking Process (OCP) technology it developed in coordination with France’s Total Petrochemicals. UOP said that integrating the two processes eliminates by-products as it converts the butenes by-product from the MTO into ethylene/propylene. The process also allows higher yield to minimize the amount of methanol feedstock required. UOP said that some $200300 M can be saved by integrating the OCP into a coal-to-olefins plant in Asia. UOP and Total are set to complete an integrated MTO/OCP pilot plant in Feluy, Belgium, with mechanical completion due in Apr 2008 and startup expected in 3Q 2008. The MTO/OCP process will see its first commercial application in Nigeria for Eurochem subsidiary Viva Methanol. The technology will be used in a Lagos plant that will make 1.3 M tonne/y of ethylene and propylene using methanol sourced from the region’s natural gas. The plant will come online in 2012.
Press release from: Alternative Energy Technology Center Inc, 1240 Blalock Road, Suite 150, Houston, TX 77055, USA. Website: http://www.altenergytechcenter.com)(24 Mar 2008)
Ahlstrom and Icare have just developed anti-odour systems. These comprise active-carbon filters with a photo catalytic system to destroy polluting molecules emitted by industrial sludge. The first unit stocks and treats 3200 tonnes of sludge with an area of 1500 square metres. There are 1000 sites in France which could use this process.
ICIS Chemical Business, 17 Mar 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
AETE technology unveiled Commercially viable ethanol from cellulosic biomass has been an elusive and much sought after process solution for the alternative fuels industry. The Alternative Energy Technology Center Inc (AETE) is in the completion phase of its design and build programme of a 20-100 tonne/day vertically integrated biorefining system that produces ethanol, gasoline, diesel, and other lubricants as well as a number of intermediate compounds. The entire biorefining system, completely modular in its construction, is capable of using several forms of cellulosic biomass including forestry (hard and soft woods) and agricultural waste in the form of dedicated feedstocks, corn
MAY 2008
Petrobras signs biofuel cooperation deal with KiOR Brazil’s federal oil company Petroleo Brasileiro S/A (Petrobras), and US firm KiOR Inc signed a cooperation agreement over the development of second-generation biofuel. The plan is to use plant waste materials to produce bio-oil with the help of KiOR’s biomass catalytic cracking technology. According to Petrobras, “secondgeneration biofuels don’t compete with foodstuff plants.” Petrobras’s Cenpes research centre has been studying the production of bio-oil from sugarcane bagasse since 2006. First tests in semi-industrial units are scheduled for 2009. Press release from: KiOR (12 Mar 2008) & Oil & Gas Journal, 17 Mar 2008, 106 (11), 35
ENVIRONMENT Catalytic process reduces N2O emissions at Thai caprolactam plant Ube Industries Ltd and Mitsubishi Corp have been jointly developing a process to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) in Thailand. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project, which reduces N2O from caprolactam production, is being undertaken at a plant owned by Thai Caprolactam Public Co Ltd, a UBE subsidiary. This is the world’s first CDM project for the abatement of N2O arising from caprolactam production. It is also the first CDM project in the chemical sector approved by the Thai government. The aim of the project is to reduce the amount of N2O emissions from the plant, and to gain some 170,000 (CO2 tonne equivalent) Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits per year from Jul 2008 onward, by means of the catalytic abatement plant set up by TCL. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi plans to sell the emission reduction credits obtained via this project. Press release from: Ube Industries Ltd, Japan. Website: http://www.ube-ind.co.jp (19 Mar 2008)
Double Liaison, Mar 2008, 1 (561), 22 (in French)
PATENTS Benzene from methane A process for the partial oxidation of benzene which maximises the yield of benzene. Methane is diluted with carbon dioxide, mixed with oxygen, and passed into a catalytic reactor at 600–1500° C. Two catalysts are used: manganese nitrate, and a mixed oxide of W,Mn,La,Sr. US 7,355,088, Saudi Basic Industries Corp, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8 Apr 2008
Improved Claus process A variation of the conventional Claus process (which converts H2S to S) in which the usual burner is replaced by a short contact-time partial oxidation reactor. The catalyst is either a metal gauze or Rh on a lanthanum-modified refractory support. This system solves several of the common problems – hydrocarbon contamination of the feed, excessive CO2 in the feed, ammonia in the feed, long residence time, and excessive pressure drop. US 7,357,908, ConocoPhillips Co, Houston, TX, USA, 15 Apr 2008
Denitrogenation prior to hydrodesulfurization A process for removing nitrogen compounds from naphtha prior to hydrodesulfurization, which minimises olefin loss. Two treatments are used: an acidic adsorbent (eg an ion exchange resin), followed by and a polar adorbent (eg alumina). US 7,357,856, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co, Annandale, NJ, USA, 15 Apr 2008
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