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Hydrogenation of bio-oils
FOCUS Flagship, has carried out conducted research and developed a new class of mineral-based nanoparticle products for recovery of valuable metals from waste. Research has indicated that the functional performance of powdered substrate products such as alumina, silica, or iron can be improved by attaching rare minerals (in the form of metal oxides) as nanoparticles to a larger micron-sized substrate. The process also adds significant value to a comparatively cheap substrate. The powdered substrate might be worth anything from $10/tonne to several hundred dollars per tonne, but could be transformed into a product worth hundreds of dollars per kilogram with a rare metal nano-coating. Further, the functionality of particles and new products can be enhanced by adding a number of different nano-layers. CSIRO’s research has developed techniques to both create and apply the nanoparticles to substrates in a single pass, greatly improving the manageability and handling of typically nano-based materials. According to Dr Lim, manufacturing and consumer markets are utilizing the research for bettering the functionality of products, such as silver oxide nanoparticles incorporated into clothing and medical bandages as an antibacterial agent and to reduce odour. Another is extending the life of catalysts for industrial applications. Original Source: Minerals and Metals Review, http://www.mmronline.com/, Copyright MMR Online 2011. Minerals and Metals Review, Apr 2011, 37 (4), 26-27 (Website: http://www.mmronline.com/)
ENVIRONMENT Bayer 1Q 2011: Turning waste gas into a raw material Bayer AG is taking a new direction in the production of high-quality plastics using carbon dioxide supplied by the energy sector. A pilot plant has come on stream at the Leverkusen Chempark to trial the new process on a technical scale. The plant produces a chemical precursor into which CO2 is chemically bound. The resulting substance is then processed into polyurethanes for a variety of everyday uses. The innovative process is the outcome of the “Dream
JULY 2011
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Production” project – a collaboration between industry and science. Bayer is working with the energy company RWE, which supplies the CO2 used in the process. Other project partners are RWTH Aachen University and the CAT Catalytic Center, which is run jointly by the university and Bayer. The researchers recently achieved a breakthrough in catalysis technology that enables the efficient use of CO2. “This provides an opportunity to establish Germany in the international competitive arena as a market leader in such technologies,” says Bayer AG Board of Management member Dr Wolfgang Plischke. The new process contributes to sustainability in a number of ways. For example, carbon dioxide may offer an alternative to petroleum, which has so far been the chemical sector’s main source of carbon. Polyurethanes themselves also help to reduce energy consumption and protect the climate. When used to insulate buildings against heat or cold, they can save around 70 times more energy than is used in their production. At the inauguration ceremony for the pilot plant, North Rhine-Westphalia innovation minister Svenja Schulze said that the project focuses on a “very specific, highly innovative solution extending from basic research to late stage testing.” She described the project as an example of successful cooperation between industry and academia on a central climate policy issue. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting the CAT Catalytic Center jointly with Bayer. The “Dream Production” project is receiving federal funding of some €5 M. Including the investment by Bayer and RWE, the total budget is about €9 M. If the test phase yields positive results, the industrial production of plastics based on CO2 is scheduled to start in 2015. Bayer Results 1Q 2011: Bayer off to a successful start to 2011, 28 Apr 2011, 55 (Bayer AG, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214301. Fax: +49 214 305 8923. Website: http://www.bayer.com)
BASF adds tail gas treatment catalysts to its adsorbents solution portfolio BASF’s Catalysts unit has agreed to market Haldor Topsoe’s range of tail gas treatment catalysts used to eliminate sulfur compounds from
sulfur recovery units. BASF will sell and distribute Haldor Topsoe’s TK220 quadralobe extrudates, TK-222 rings and TK-224 spheres across the globe, excluding the USA and Canada. Chemical Business (India), Jan 2011, 25 (1), 58 (Website: http://www.printsjournals.com/)
PATENTS Peroxide production in microchannels An important, extensive patent with 91 pages, 112 figures, but, unusually, only 5 claims. Please see the editorial for an account of the background. US 7,959,880, Velocys, Inc, Plain City, OH, USA, 14 Jun 2011
Regeneration of ionic liquid catalysts The catalysts are regenerated with a metal (eg Al, Al + Ni, In, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ti) under pressurised hydrogen. US 7,956,002, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 7 Jun 2011
Ethylene glycol from cellulose The process uses catalytic hydrogenation with water in a sealed pressure vessel. Many catalysts are exemplified, including tungsten, tungsten carbide, and molybdenum phosphide. US 7,960,594, Liaoning, China, 14 Jun 2011
Shaped, binderless TS-1 The essence of this invention is to use the minimum quantity of water in the receipt, so that the usual filtering and drying stages are avoided. US 7,956,204, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 7 Jun 2011
Hydrogenation of bio-oils The bio-oils are made by the fast pyrolysis of biomass. The catalyst is typically a supported palladium used at 200-500°. Preferred products are guaiacol, furfural, and their derivatives. US 7,956,224, Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA, USA, 7 Jun 2011
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ENVIRONMENT Bayer 1Q 2011: Turning waste gas into a raw material Bayer AG is taking a new direction in the production of high-quality plastics using carbon dioxide supplied by the energy sector. A pilot plant has come on stream at the Leverkusen Chempark to trial the new process on a technical scale. The plant produces a chemical precursor into which CO2 is chemically bound. The resulting substance is then processed into polyurethanes for a variety of everyday uses. The innovative process is the outcome of the “Dream
JULY 2011
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Production” project – a collaboration between industry and science. Bayer is working with the energy company RWE, which supplies the CO2 used in the process. Other project partners are RWTH Aachen University and the CAT Catalytic Center, which is run jointly by the university and Bayer. The researchers recently achieved a breakthrough in catalysis technology that enables the efficient use of CO2. “This provides an opportunity to establish Germany in the international competitive arena as a market leader in such technologies,” says Bayer AG Board of Management member Dr Wolfgang Plischke. The new process contributes to sustainability in a number of ways. For example, carbon dioxide may offer an alternative to petroleum, which has so far been the chemical sector’s main source of carbon. Polyurethanes themselves also help to reduce energy consumption and protect the climate. When used to insulate buildings against heat or cold, they can save around 70 times more energy than is used in their production. At the inauguration ceremony for the pilot plant, North Rhine-Westphalia innovation minister Svenja Schulze said that the project focuses on a “very specific, highly innovative solution extending from basic research to late stage testing.” She described the project as an example of successful cooperation between industry and academia on a central climate policy issue. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting the CAT Catalytic Center jointly with Bayer. The “Dream Production” project is receiving federal funding of some €5 M. Including the investment by Bayer and RWE, the total budget is about €9 M. If the test phase yields positive results, the industrial production of plastics based on CO2 is scheduled to start in 2015. Bayer Results 1Q 2011: Bayer off to a successful start to 2011, 28 Apr 2011, 55 (Bayer AG, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214301. Fax: +49 214 305 8923. Website: http://www.bayer.com)
BASF adds tail gas treatment catalysts to its adsorbents solution portfolio BASF’s Catalysts unit has agreed to market Haldor Topsoe’s range of tail gas treatment catalysts used to eliminate sulfur compounds from
sulfur recovery units. BASF will sell and distribute Haldor Topsoe’s TK220 quadralobe extrudates, TK-222 rings and TK-224 spheres across the globe, excluding the USA and Canada. Chemical Business (India), Jan 2011, 25 (1), 58 (Website: http://www.printsjournals.com/)
PATENTS Peroxide production in microchannels An important, extensive patent with 91 pages, 112 figures, but, unusually, only 5 claims. Please see the editorial for an account of the background. US 7,959,880, Velocys, Inc, Plain City, OH, USA, 14 Jun 2011
Regeneration of ionic liquid catalysts The catalysts are regenerated with a metal (eg Al, Al + Ni, In, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ti) under pressurised hydrogen. US 7,956,002, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 7 Jun 2011
Ethylene glycol from cellulose The process uses catalytic hydrogenation with water in a sealed pressure vessel. Many catalysts are exemplified, including tungsten, tungsten carbide, and molybdenum phosphide. US 7,960,594, Liaoning, China, 14 Jun 2011
Shaped, binderless TS-1 The essence of this invention is to use the minimum quantity of water in the receipt, so that the usual filtering and drying stages are avoided. US 7,956,204, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 7 Jun 2011
Hydrogenation of bio-oils The bio-oils are made by the fast pyrolysis of biomass. The catalyst is typically a supported palladium used at 200-500°. Preferred products are guaiacol, furfural, and their derivatives. US 7,956,224, Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA, USA, 7 Jun 2011
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