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Environmental catalysts clean up
FOCUS
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lowered by 60°C. Ongoing research is aimed at the production of hydrogen via a carbon monoxide-free one-step reforming process.
should fall as there is more demand for palladium. However, total demand for palladium could flatten out after rising for a period of 3 years.
Japan Chemical Week, 3/10 Aug 2006, 47 (2378), 2
Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Aug 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Nanotechnology in oils and fats: a nano future? The use of nanotechnology is described to provide cost savings, enhance product shelf life, and increase health benefits in the oils and fats sector. In the US, nanotechnology has enabled a rapid response to new legislation on the production of healthier foods. Since Jan 2006, products with containing at least 0.5 g/serving of trans fats have required appropriate labels. In Mar 2006, California-based OilFresh launched a frying oil which contains nanoparticles to significantly extend the fry life of the oil. Oil breakdown is suppressed via fused nanoceramic catalyst particles which reduce oxidative degradation. Nanotechnology-based fats are likely to be useful as coatings for pharmaceuticals, enabling the drugs to be delivered to the correct site in the body. Concern about the lack of toxicity information for nanomaterials is noted. Oils and Fats International, Sep 2006, 22 (5), 32-33
ENVIRONMENT Environmental catalysts clean up An overview of the market for environmental catalysts. The total market for these products is forecast to increase from $3.6 bn in 2003 to $9.1 bn in 2009. Leading producers are Johnson Matthey, BASF Catalysts, and Umicore. Umicore holds almost 25% of the automotive catalyst sector. Europe is to introduce new legislation on heavy duty diesel (HDD) emissions in Oct 2006, with similar legislation coming into force in the US in Jan 2007. Johnson Matthey forecasts that the catalyst market for new HDD vehicles will reach $700 M by the end of 2008. The firm is expanding its plant near Philadelphia and building an auto catalyst plant in Asia. The auto catalyst sector is likely to consume more than 4 M ounces of platinum in 2006. Japanese autocatalyst consumption of platinum
OCTOBER 2006
Low-cost catalyst for exhaust gas developed A cost-effective platinum-alumina catalyst with enhanced porosity, performance, and durability for use in treating stack gas and other hightemperature exhaust gases has been developed by NGK Insulators in cooperation with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). The material can withstand heat levels of up to about 200°C higher than standard types, and reacts at temperatures of around 100°C lower. The platinum-alumina catalyst was made from a preparation of alumina, solvent and a moist gel of platinum. By freeze-drying the gel and eliminating the solvent, AIST and NGK were able to produce a dried substance called cryogel, which is then calcined at 1200°C for five hours. Platinum-alumina catalysts have principal application in the oxidation removal of volatile organic compounds. The partners plan to launch the new catalysts after establishing a process for mass volume production and further validating the material’s performance. Japan Chemical Week, 3/10 Aug 2006, 47 (2378), 1,12
a professor at Saitama Institute of Technology. The titania catalyst is activated by both light and heat. It was developed after golden nanoparticles were broken down into an oxide, with fine titania particles coating its surface. Also, Ecodevice developed a water-based slurry where the titania catalyst is dispersed, which allows the catalyst to serve as a coating agent when a binder is included. Ecodevice plans to develop the catalyst-enhanced coating for use in automotive interiors and equipment. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Aug 2006, 47 (2379), 2
Catalytic process destroys perchlorate Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a catalyst for reducing perchlorate in groundwater. The catalyst contains palladium and rhenium supported on active carbon and works at normal temperature and pressure. ICIS Chemical Business, 11 Sep 2006, 1 (34), 35
PATENTS Improved SAPOs for MTO The usual catalysts for the methanol-toolefins process are SAPO zeotypes. Their catalytic performance is improved if the surfaces of the crystals are doped with silica by heating with polydimethylsiloxane or an alkyl silicate. US 7,102,051, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 5 Sep 2006
Lurgi turns biomass into fuels Lurgi is to build a pilot pyrolysis plant which forms the first stage of a fuel production contract. The cooperation contract is worth €3.76 M. The unit will process biomass into bio crude oil which is an intermediate for synthetic fuels. The second and third steps will convert the pyrolysis products into syngas. Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Aug 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Purification of phenol made from cumene Phenol which is made from cumyl hydroperoxide contains several impurities which are deleterious in its various applications. These impurities may be removed by heating it with a ziconia-alumina catalyst. US 7,102,036, General Electric Co, Schenectady, NY, USA, 5 Sep 2006
Startup of an epoxidation process Hybrid titania catalysts destroys CO at room temperature A hybrid titania catalyst which can oxidize acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide at room temperature has been formulated by Ecodevice Co and
The silver-based catalyst is first heated to above 260°C for up to 150 hours, and then used at a lower temperature. US 7,102,022, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA, 5 Sep 2006
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ON
C ATA LY S T S
lowered by 60°C. Ongoing research is aimed at the production of hydrogen via a carbon monoxide-free one-step reforming process.
should fall as there is more demand for palladium. However, total demand for palladium could flatten out after rising for a period of 3 years.
Japan Chemical Week, 3/10 Aug 2006, 47 (2378), 2
Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Aug 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Nanotechnology in oils and fats: a nano future? The use of nanotechnology is described to provide cost savings, enhance product shelf life, and increase health benefits in the oils and fats sector. In the US, nanotechnology has enabled a rapid response to new legislation on the production of healthier foods. Since Jan 2006, products with containing at least 0.5 g/serving of trans fats have required appropriate labels. In Mar 2006, California-based OilFresh launched a frying oil which contains nanoparticles to significantly extend the fry life of the oil. Oil breakdown is suppressed via fused nanoceramic catalyst particles which reduce oxidative degradation. Nanotechnology-based fats are likely to be useful as coatings for pharmaceuticals, enabling the drugs to be delivered to the correct site in the body. Concern about the lack of toxicity information for nanomaterials is noted. Oils and Fats International, Sep 2006, 22 (5), 32-33
ENVIRONMENT Environmental catalysts clean up An overview of the market for environmental catalysts. The total market for these products is forecast to increase from $3.6 bn in 2003 to $9.1 bn in 2009. Leading producers are Johnson Matthey, BASF Catalysts, and Umicore. Umicore holds almost 25% of the automotive catalyst sector. Europe is to introduce new legislation on heavy duty diesel (HDD) emissions in Oct 2006, with similar legislation coming into force in the US in Jan 2007. Johnson Matthey forecasts that the catalyst market for new HDD vehicles will reach $700 M by the end of 2008. The firm is expanding its plant near Philadelphia and building an auto catalyst plant in Asia. The auto catalyst sector is likely to consume more than 4 M ounces of platinum in 2006. Japanese autocatalyst consumption of platinum
OCTOBER 2006
Low-cost catalyst for exhaust gas developed A cost-effective platinum-alumina catalyst with enhanced porosity, performance, and durability for use in treating stack gas and other hightemperature exhaust gases has been developed by NGK Insulators in cooperation with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). The material can withstand heat levels of up to about 200°C higher than standard types, and reacts at temperatures of around 100°C lower. The platinum-alumina catalyst was made from a preparation of alumina, solvent and a moist gel of platinum. By freeze-drying the gel and eliminating the solvent, AIST and NGK were able to produce a dried substance called cryogel, which is then calcined at 1200°C for five hours. Platinum-alumina catalysts have principal application in the oxidation removal of volatile organic compounds. The partners plan to launch the new catalysts after establishing a process for mass volume production and further validating the material’s performance. Japan Chemical Week, 3/10 Aug 2006, 47 (2378), 1,12
a professor at Saitama Institute of Technology. The titania catalyst is activated by both light and heat. It was developed after golden nanoparticles were broken down into an oxide, with fine titania particles coating its surface. Also, Ecodevice developed a water-based slurry where the titania catalyst is dispersed, which allows the catalyst to serve as a coating agent when a binder is included. Ecodevice plans to develop the catalyst-enhanced coating for use in automotive interiors and equipment. Japan Chemical Week, 17 Aug 2006, 47 (2379), 2
Catalytic process destroys perchlorate Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a catalyst for reducing perchlorate in groundwater. The catalyst contains palladium and rhenium supported on active carbon and works at normal temperature and pressure. ICIS Chemical Business, 11 Sep 2006, 1 (34), 35
PATENTS Improved SAPOs for MTO The usual catalysts for the methanol-toolefins process are SAPO zeotypes. Their catalytic performance is improved if the surfaces of the crystals are doped with silica by heating with polydimethylsiloxane or an alkyl silicate. US 7,102,051, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 5 Sep 2006
Lurgi turns biomass into fuels Lurgi is to build a pilot pyrolysis plant which forms the first stage of a fuel production contract. The cooperation contract is worth €3.76 M. The unit will process biomass into bio crude oil which is an intermediate for synthetic fuels. The second and third steps will convert the pyrolysis products into syngas. Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Aug 2006 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Purification of phenol made from cumene Phenol which is made from cumyl hydroperoxide contains several impurities which are deleterious in its various applications. These impurities may be removed by heating it with a ziconia-alumina catalyst. US 7,102,036, General Electric Co, Schenectady, NY, USA, 5 Sep 2006
Startup of an epoxidation process Hybrid titania catalysts destroys CO at room temperature A hybrid titania catalyst which can oxidize acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide at room temperature has been formulated by Ecodevice Co and
The silver-based catalyst is first heated to above 260°C for up to 150 hours, and then used at a lower temperature. US 7,102,022, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA, 5 Sep 2006
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