- Email: [email protected]
Epoxidation of ethylene
F O C U S that significantly reduces nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates. Press release from: KleenAir Systems Inc, 1711 Langley Ave, Suite B, Irvine, CA 92614, USA. Tel: +1 949 955 3492. Fax: +1 949 955 3497. Website: http://www.kleenairsystems.com (25 Mar 2004)
KleenAir Systems in Chinese jv A jv of KleenAir Systems and China Display Co of Shanghai will set up a technology centre to develop and support a range of emission reduction technologies. KleenAir has catalytic systems for the reduction of nitrogen monoxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. Asian Chemical News, 22 Mar 2004, 10 (438), 9 & Press release from KleenAir Systems Inc, 1711 Langley Ave, Suite B, Irvine, CA 92614, USA. Tel: +1 949 955 3492. Fax: +1 949 955 3497. Website: http://www.kleenairsystems.com (11 Mar 2004)
Rentar validates its greenhouse gas reduction technology Rentar Environmental Solutions Inc (Rentar) announced the culmination of an exhaustive laboratory study to definitively demonstrate its precombustion patented Rentar Fuel Catalyst is extremely effective in reducing CO, CO2 and NOx emissions, while simultaneously saving users money through improved fuel economy. After three years of independent testing at an ISO 9001:2000 registered company with both EPA and CARB recognised emission test facilities, Rentar can attest to reductions in greenhouse gases and back it up with third-part results demonstrating its effectiveness. The Rentar is the only major emission device, which will pay for itself in less than a year and continue returning results for the life of the unit. In lab tests running UDDS, Steady State and NYC Bus Cycle modes the Rentar demonstrated superior fuel savings ranging from 5.5% to 10.3% depending on the test cycle. Rentar Environmental Solutions Inc is a full service environmental solution provider focused on the technological needs of its customers and transforming those requirements into commercially viable solutions. Press release from Rentar Environmental Solutions Inc, 11586 Pierson Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33414, USA. Tel: +1 561 790 0093. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rentar.com (25 Mar 2004)
MAY 2004
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Rhodia to promote Eolys for removing particulates from diesel exhaust The diesel engine, the work horse of America’s heavy-duty vehicles, might be in for a whole new image with the help of new technology from Rhodia that keeps diesel’s advantages, minimizes its disadvantages, and makes it more desirable for passenger vehicles. Rhodia’s Electronics & Catalysis business has begun a more aggressive campaign to clear regulatory hurdles and market its Eolys diesel fuel-borne catalyst in North America. With Rhodia’s Eolys product, combined with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), it will eliminate the particulate aspect of smoke. Eolys is a technically advanced, rare earthbased fuel-borne catalyst. The Eolys catalyst can be premixed or added to the vehicle tank via an automatic, onboard dosing system. Further, optimisation of this winning combination is already planned, by extending the DPF maintenance intervals to 150,000 miles, and a future combination with nitrogen oxides after-treatment systems. The DPF-Eolys catalyst combination ensures long-term performance that is significantly better than required by European environmental regulations due to be introduced in 2005. Press release from Rhodia Inc, 259 Prospect Plains Road, CN 7500, Cranbury, NJ 08512-7500, USA. Tel: +1 609 860 4000. Website: http://us.rhodia.com (9 Mar 2004)
Desulfurization catalysts achieve new lows The Petroleum Energy Center in Japan, funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation, has developed four different catalysts which can desulfurize diesel fuel to below 10 ppm sulfur. The work was conducted at four different laboratories. Japan Chemical Week, 11 Mar 2004, 45 (2261), 2
generated catalytically from nitroxyl compounds such as TEMPO, using complexed transition metal ions. The resulting oxidised cellulose fibres have improved wet-strength, and further treatment produces water-absorbant products. US 6,716,976, 6 Apr 2004, SCA Hygiene Products Zeist BV, Zeist, The Netherlands
Epoxidation of ethylene The usual epoxidation catalyst is silver, promoted by rhenium, on a solid support. Such catalysts need to be regenerated periodically. The essence of this disclosure is that their performance varies with processing conditions. A used catalyst which would normally need to be regenerated can continue to be used if the concentration of ethylene is increased. US 6,717,001, 6 Apr 2004, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA
Liquid-phase epoxidation Epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide, or allyl chloride to epichlorohydrin, using hydrogen peroxide, may be catalysed by titanium silicalite. The catalyst can be in the form of small particles, fluidised in the reaction medium. Use of a fluidised bed reactor makes it easy to remove heat and also to replace the catalyst. US 6,720,435, 13 Apr 2004, Solvay, Brussels, Belgium
Selective hydrogenation of alkynes There is a need for removing traces of alkynes from dienes such as butadiene. Palladium is an effective catalyst for this but is not very selective. Copper is more selective but suffers from deactivation due to deposition of polymers. The preferred catalyst is copper, promoted by palladium, modified with zinc oxide, supported on alumina. US 6,717,022, 6 Apr 2004, Catalytic Distillation Technologies, Pasadena, TX, USA
PATENTS Selective oxidation of cellulose
Olefin polymerization catalyst activators
Nitrosonium ions are used to oxidise cellulosic 6-hydroxy-methylene groups to aldehyde and carboxylic acid groups. The nitrosonium compounds are
Supported metallocene catalysts need to be activated. The most commonly used activator is alumoxane, but it must be used in large excess, and it is
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KleenAir Systems in Chinese jv A jv of KleenAir Systems and China Display Co of Shanghai will set up a technology centre to develop and support a range of emission reduction technologies. KleenAir has catalytic systems for the reduction of nitrogen monoxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. Asian Chemical News, 22 Mar 2004, 10 (438), 9 & Press release from KleenAir Systems Inc, 1711 Langley Ave, Suite B, Irvine, CA 92614, USA. Tel: +1 949 955 3492. Fax: +1 949 955 3497. Website: http://www.kleenairsystems.com (11 Mar 2004)
Rentar validates its greenhouse gas reduction technology Rentar Environmental Solutions Inc (Rentar) announced the culmination of an exhaustive laboratory study to definitively demonstrate its precombustion patented Rentar Fuel Catalyst is extremely effective in reducing CO, CO2 and NOx emissions, while simultaneously saving users money through improved fuel economy. After three years of independent testing at an ISO 9001:2000 registered company with both EPA and CARB recognised emission test facilities, Rentar can attest to reductions in greenhouse gases and back it up with third-part results demonstrating its effectiveness. The Rentar is the only major emission device, which will pay for itself in less than a year and continue returning results for the life of the unit. In lab tests running UDDS, Steady State and NYC Bus Cycle modes the Rentar demonstrated superior fuel savings ranging from 5.5% to 10.3% depending on the test cycle. Rentar Environmental Solutions Inc is a full service environmental solution provider focused on the technological needs of its customers and transforming those requirements into commercially viable solutions. Press release from Rentar Environmental Solutions Inc, 11586 Pierson Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33414, USA. Tel: +1 561 790 0093. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rentar.com (25 Mar 2004)
MAY 2004
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Rhodia to promote Eolys for removing particulates from diesel exhaust The diesel engine, the work horse of America’s heavy-duty vehicles, might be in for a whole new image with the help of new technology from Rhodia that keeps diesel’s advantages, minimizes its disadvantages, and makes it more desirable for passenger vehicles. Rhodia’s Electronics & Catalysis business has begun a more aggressive campaign to clear regulatory hurdles and market its Eolys diesel fuel-borne catalyst in North America. With Rhodia’s Eolys product, combined with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), it will eliminate the particulate aspect of smoke. Eolys is a technically advanced, rare earthbased fuel-borne catalyst. The Eolys catalyst can be premixed or added to the vehicle tank via an automatic, onboard dosing system. Further, optimisation of this winning combination is already planned, by extending the DPF maintenance intervals to 150,000 miles, and a future combination with nitrogen oxides after-treatment systems. The DPF-Eolys catalyst combination ensures long-term performance that is significantly better than required by European environmental regulations due to be introduced in 2005. Press release from Rhodia Inc, 259 Prospect Plains Road, CN 7500, Cranbury, NJ 08512-7500, USA. Tel: +1 609 860 4000. Website: http://us.rhodia.com (9 Mar 2004)
Desulfurization catalysts achieve new lows The Petroleum Energy Center in Japan, funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation, has developed four different catalysts which can desulfurize diesel fuel to below 10 ppm sulfur. The work was conducted at four different laboratories. Japan Chemical Week, 11 Mar 2004, 45 (2261), 2
generated catalytically from nitroxyl compounds such as TEMPO, using complexed transition metal ions. The resulting oxidised cellulose fibres have improved wet-strength, and further treatment produces water-absorbant products. US 6,716,976, 6 Apr 2004, SCA Hygiene Products Zeist BV, Zeist, The Netherlands
Epoxidation of ethylene The usual epoxidation catalyst is silver, promoted by rhenium, on a solid support. Such catalysts need to be regenerated periodically. The essence of this disclosure is that their performance varies with processing conditions. A used catalyst which would normally need to be regenerated can continue to be used if the concentration of ethylene is increased. US 6,717,001, 6 Apr 2004, Shell Oil Co, Houston, TX, USA
Liquid-phase epoxidation Epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide, or allyl chloride to epichlorohydrin, using hydrogen peroxide, may be catalysed by titanium silicalite. The catalyst can be in the form of small particles, fluidised in the reaction medium. Use of a fluidised bed reactor makes it easy to remove heat and also to replace the catalyst. US 6,720,435, 13 Apr 2004, Solvay, Brussels, Belgium
Selective hydrogenation of alkynes There is a need for removing traces of alkynes from dienes such as butadiene. Palladium is an effective catalyst for this but is not very selective. Copper is more selective but suffers from deactivation due to deposition of polymers. The preferred catalyst is copper, promoted by palladium, modified with zinc oxide, supported on alumina. US 6,717,022, 6 Apr 2004, Catalytic Distillation Technologies, Pasadena, TX, USA
PATENTS Selective oxidation of cellulose
Olefin polymerization catalyst activators
Nitrosonium ions are used to oxidise cellulosic 6-hydroxy-methylene groups to aldehyde and carboxylic acid groups. The nitrosonium compounds are
Supported metallocene catalysts need to be activated. The most commonly used activator is alumoxane, but it must be used in large excess, and it is
7