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GTL complex for Qatar
F O C U S Synkem will license SynPhos ligands Synkem is to offer licences for its SynPhos Ru ligand catalysts. The French firm says that the catalysts are superior to Binap and MeOBiphep Ru catalysts in the asymmetric hydrogenation of most substrates. PharmaChem, Jan-Feb 2003, 2 (1/2), 88 (B5 srl. Via Cesare da Sesto, 10-20123 Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 83241119. Fax: + 39 02 8376457. Website: www.b5srl.com)
NEW PLANTS Fushun to invest in Liaoning park RMB Yuan 1.5 bn is to be invested by the Fushun municipal government to develop a petrochemical hub for northern China at Liaoning. The first phase of the Fushun Petrochemical and Fine Chemicals Park is due to be completed by 2004. Fushun Petrochemical is expected to be one of the first companies to invest in the park with facilities for paraffin wax and refinery catalysts. The company would provide feedstock for facilities at the park from its three refineries. It is one of the biggest producers of paraffin wax in China. Asian Chemical News, 10 Mar 2003, 9 (392), 24
GTL complex for Qatar Technip-Coflexip announces that the contract signed on 30 Jan 2003 with Oryx GTL Ltd for the design and construction of a GTL (gas-to-liquids) complex in Qatar has come into force. Oryx GTL Ltd is a jv between Qatar Petroleum and Sasol of South Africa. Under the terms of this contract, worth about $675 M, Technip-Coflexip will carry out the engineering, procurement, and construction of a GTL complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. This complex will use as feedstock about 330 M cu ft/day of lean gas from the North Field to produce 34,000 bbls/day of liquids (24,000 bbl/day of diesel, 9000 bbl/day of liquefied petroleum gas). It will be based on the Slurry Phase Distillate process developed and commercialised in South Africa by Sasol. Production of GTL is slated to begin late 2005. Press release from: Technip-Coflexip, 170, place Henri Regnault, Paris La Défense, Cedex 92 973, France. Website: http://www.technip-coflexip.com (21 Mar 2003)
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Syntroleum and Yakutgazprom to study GTL plant in Russian Republic of Sakha Syntroleum Corp and Joint-Stock Company ‘Yakutgazprom’ announced the signing of an agreement on 24 Mar 2003 to conduct a feasibility study for building a gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant near the city of Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, Russian Federation. The Sakha Republic is located in Eastern Siberia about 5000 km east of Moscow. The study will address technical and economic issues in connection with building a 13,000-bbl/day synthetic liquid fuels plant. The plant would convert up to 1.3 bn m3/y of natural gas into a lowviscosity arctic-grade diesel fuel and other fuels meeting Russian standards. Press release from: Syntroleum Corp, Suite 1100, 1350, South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74119, USA. Tel: +1 918 592 7900. Fax: +1 918 592 7979. Website: http://www.syntroleum.com (24 Mar & 27 Mar 2003)
Eberspaecher strengthens catalyst sector J Eberspaecher GmbH & Co is strengthening the development and production of automotive catalysts with its own plants in N America. A catalyst plant is due onstream in Brighton, near Detroit, towards the end of 2003. Daimler-Chrysler AG wants 200,000 unit/y from 2H 2004. Eberspaecher will also supply General Motors from 2005. Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 27 Mar 2003, 66 (61 Supplement), 4 (in German)
NEW TECHNOLOGY Dow and Symyx announce discovery of new class of polyolefin catalyst Dow Chemical Co and Symyx Technologies Inc have announced that, for the first time, a new class of single-site catalysts for olefin polymerization has been discovered through the application of fully integrated high-throughput screening methodology. The discovery of the new amide-ether based hafnium catalyst class validates the use of the technique as a time-saving research tool, and has broad implications for
Dow’s ability to greatly accelerate the discovery and commercialisation of next generation catalysts for olefin polymerization. Press release from: The Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48674, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1463. Fax: +1 989 636 1830. Website: http://www.dow.com (31 Mar 2003) & European Chemical News, 7 Apr 2003, 78 (2047), 29; & Chemical Week, 2 Apr 2003, 165 (13), 46 & Chemistry and Industry, 7 Apr 2003, (7), 6
Nanoparticulate titania Titanium dioxide is widely used in the product of paints and is also used in the manufacture of paper, lipstick, toothpaste, and pharmaceuticals tablets. However, TiO2 particles of 1050 nanometres have unusual properties that scientists are trying to exploit. The photocatalytic properties of these particles have been used in self-cleaning window glass, air and water purification systems, and in antibacterial coatings. And they have adapted to remove nitrogen oxides from power plant exhausts. Titanium dioxide sales are over 8 bn lb/y, with 60% going into paints and coatings. The photovoltaics market may be around 1 M lb/y and catalytic applications 20 M lb/y. Chemical engineers are now looking at how they might manipulate the mineral. Altair International is hoping to utilize new solution-process manufacturing technology to make nanoparticles that range from 10 microns to 10 nanometres. It is currently operates only a pilot-plant, but believes it could supply material at $1/lb if demand were to rise to 55 M lb/y or more. Most of Sachtleben’s TiO2 production goes to textile fibre markets, paints, coatings, and plastics, but it has its eye on photocatalytic applications. Chemical and Engineering News, 31 Mar 2003, 81 (13), 13-14
Desulfurization of gas oil using titania The Petroleum Energy Center in Japan has been seeking better methods of desulfurizing gas oil since 2001. It has now developed a titaniabased catalyst which reduces sulfur levels to below 15 ppm. Work continues on improving catalyst life and activity. Japan Chemical Week, 3 Apr 2003, 44 (2215), 1,3
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NEW PLANTS Fushun to invest in Liaoning park RMB Yuan 1.5 bn is to be invested by the Fushun municipal government to develop a petrochemical hub for northern China at Liaoning. The first phase of the Fushun Petrochemical and Fine Chemicals Park is due to be completed by 2004. Fushun Petrochemical is expected to be one of the first companies to invest in the park with facilities for paraffin wax and refinery catalysts. The company would provide feedstock for facilities at the park from its three refineries. It is one of the biggest producers of paraffin wax in China. Asian Chemical News, 10 Mar 2003, 9 (392), 24
GTL complex for Qatar Technip-Coflexip announces that the contract signed on 30 Jan 2003 with Oryx GTL Ltd for the design and construction of a GTL (gas-to-liquids) complex in Qatar has come into force. Oryx GTL Ltd is a jv between Qatar Petroleum and Sasol of South Africa. Under the terms of this contract, worth about $675 M, Technip-Coflexip will carry out the engineering, procurement, and construction of a GTL complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. This complex will use as feedstock about 330 M cu ft/day of lean gas from the North Field to produce 34,000 bbls/day of liquids (24,000 bbl/day of diesel, 9000 bbl/day of liquefied petroleum gas). It will be based on the Slurry Phase Distillate process developed and commercialised in South Africa by Sasol. Production of GTL is slated to begin late 2005. Press release from: Technip-Coflexip, 170, place Henri Regnault, Paris La Défense, Cedex 92 973, France. Website: http://www.technip-coflexip.com (21 Mar 2003)
MAY 2003
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C ATA LY S T S
Syntroleum and Yakutgazprom to study GTL plant in Russian Republic of Sakha Syntroleum Corp and Joint-Stock Company ‘Yakutgazprom’ announced the signing of an agreement on 24 Mar 2003 to conduct a feasibility study for building a gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant near the city of Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, Russian Federation. The Sakha Republic is located in Eastern Siberia about 5000 km east of Moscow. The study will address technical and economic issues in connection with building a 13,000-bbl/day synthetic liquid fuels plant. The plant would convert up to 1.3 bn m3/y of natural gas into a lowviscosity arctic-grade diesel fuel and other fuels meeting Russian standards. Press release from: Syntroleum Corp, Suite 1100, 1350, South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74119, USA. Tel: +1 918 592 7900. Fax: +1 918 592 7979. Website: http://www.syntroleum.com (24 Mar & 27 Mar 2003)
Eberspaecher strengthens catalyst sector J Eberspaecher GmbH & Co is strengthening the development and production of automotive catalysts with its own plants in N America. A catalyst plant is due onstream in Brighton, near Detroit, towards the end of 2003. Daimler-Chrysler AG wants 200,000 unit/y from 2H 2004. Eberspaecher will also supply General Motors from 2005. Nachrichten für Aussenhandel, 27 Mar 2003, 66 (61 Supplement), 4 (in German)
NEW TECHNOLOGY Dow and Symyx announce discovery of new class of polyolefin catalyst Dow Chemical Co and Symyx Technologies Inc have announced that, for the first time, a new class of single-site catalysts for olefin polymerization has been discovered through the application of fully integrated high-throughput screening methodology. The discovery of the new amide-ether based hafnium catalyst class validates the use of the technique as a time-saving research tool, and has broad implications for
Dow’s ability to greatly accelerate the discovery and commercialisation of next generation catalysts for olefin polymerization. Press release from: The Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48674, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1463. Fax: +1 989 636 1830. Website: http://www.dow.com (31 Mar 2003) & European Chemical News, 7 Apr 2003, 78 (2047), 29; & Chemical Week, 2 Apr 2003, 165 (13), 46 & Chemistry and Industry, 7 Apr 2003, (7), 6
Nanoparticulate titania Titanium dioxide is widely used in the product of paints and is also used in the manufacture of paper, lipstick, toothpaste, and pharmaceuticals tablets. However, TiO2 particles of 1050 nanometres have unusual properties that scientists are trying to exploit. The photocatalytic properties of these particles have been used in self-cleaning window glass, air and water purification systems, and in antibacterial coatings. And they have adapted to remove nitrogen oxides from power plant exhausts. Titanium dioxide sales are over 8 bn lb/y, with 60% going into paints and coatings. The photovoltaics market may be around 1 M lb/y and catalytic applications 20 M lb/y. Chemical engineers are now looking at how they might manipulate the mineral. Altair International is hoping to utilize new solution-process manufacturing technology to make nanoparticles that range from 10 microns to 10 nanometres. It is currently operates only a pilot-plant, but believes it could supply material at $1/lb if demand were to rise to 55 M lb/y or more. Most of Sachtleben’s TiO2 production goes to textile fibre markets, paints, coatings, and plastics, but it has its eye on photocatalytic applications. Chemical and Engineering News, 31 Mar 2003, 81 (13), 13-14
Desulfurization of gas oil using titania The Petroleum Energy Center in Japan has been seeking better methods of desulfurizing gas oil since 2001. It has now developed a titaniabased catalyst which reduces sulfur levels to below 15 ppm. Work continues on improving catalyst life and activity. Japan Chemical Week, 3 Apr 2003, 44 (2215), 1,3
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