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Immobilized enzyme technology enters commercial stage
F O C U S beginning of a joined global effort to commercialize a newly developed unique catalytic filter bag technology. The product will carry the brand name EnviroTex catalytic filter bags and is capable of removing dust, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in one integrated and costeffective process. A long list of industries including cement, power, biomass, waste incineration as well as glass and metal production are the target customers and the global commercial potential is huge. Original Source: Haldor Topsoe, 26 Jan 2015 (Haldor Topsoe,website: http://www.topsoe.com/) © HaldorTopsoe A/S 2015
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Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, were able to produce high octane number petrol out of biomass-derived gamma-valerolactone (GVL), an organic compound that is usually mixed in small volumes with diesel or petrol. They were able to generate a 2,2,4-trimethylpentane-rich substance with an octane number of 95.4 using an ionic liquid catalyst. The chemical produced by the researchers can be a greener alternative to petrol, which is usually derived from fossil fuels. Original Source: Green Chemistry Network Newsletter, Jan 2015, (48), 8 (Website: http://www.greenchemistrynetwork.org) © Green Chemistry Network 2015
Block copolymers made without phthalate catalysts
UW to expand research into advanced, economically viable bioproducts
A polypropylene-based block copolymer has been developed by the Chemicals Division of Repsol. The new polymers are made with catalysts and do not contain phthalates. These are suited for use in injection moulding of goods like buckets and cases, food preservation products, consumer goods, and extruded film and sheet and non-wovens for hygiene products.
Together with the University of Minnesota and Argonne Laboratory, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) will find ways to produce renewable plastic precursors and other chemicals out of biomass. Argonne Laboratory will offer highthroughput equipment for the analysis of large volumes of catalysts utilized in converting biomass, while the University of Minnesota will assist in separating products from the reactants and solvents consumed in the production. The partnership of the universities has already received $3.3 M financial support from the US Department of Energy. The said grant is part of the department’s $14.4 M worth of support for the development of advanced biofuels and bioproducts.
Original Source: Plastics News, 28 Jan 2015 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com) © Crain Communications Inc 2015
DTU leads NonPrecious catalysts project The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Energy), is developing a platinum-free catalyst for PEM fuel cells under the NonPrecious project. The four-year collaborative project is worth DKR 21 M ($3.2 M), with DKR 16 M ($2.4 M) from Innovation Fund Denmark. Other project partners include universities, fuel cell industry players, and research groups from China and Canada. Original Source: Fuel Cells Bulletin, Jan 2015, 11 (Website: http://www.elsevierscitech.com/nl/fcb/home.asp) © Elsevier Ltd 2015
Driving towards success with biomassderived petrol Scientists from the Institute of Process Engineering at the Chinese
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Original Source: Green Chemistry Network Newsletter, Jan 2015, (48), 13 (Website: http://www.greenchemistrynetwork.org) © Green Chemistry Network 2015
Immobilized enzyme technology enters commercial stage A new patent-protected biodiesel technology platform based on immobilized enzymes has been developed by TransBiodiesel. The technology can be used to produce EN and ASTM biodiesel using any feedstock containing 0-100% free fatty acids (FFAs), such as brown grease, crude plant oils, palm fatty acid distillates and used cooking oil. The immobilized enzymes have a
long operational lifetime and can be used without need for replacement for 6-12 months, based on the feedstock. With the new technology, 3000-4000 tonnes of biodiesel can be produced using 1 tonne of the biocatalyst. Separately, TransBiodiesel has an ongoing joint venture with Appalachian Biofuels where TransBiodiesel’s immobilized enzyme platform will be used for producing 28 M gal/y at a site in Russell Country, VA, by 1 Aug 2015. Other joint ventures in the US include a 1 M gal/y pilot facility with a different firm, and a development for producing 5 M gal/y biodiesel by Feb 2015. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Jan-Feb 2015, 12 (1), 6 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2015
Ever-evolving biodiesel technology developments New developments and current optimization techniques in biodiesel technology are discussed. Methes Energies has unveiled a new biodiesel pre-treatment process based on PP-MEC, a noncorrosive liquid catalyst produced by Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts LLC. In the process, which uses feedstock of up to 70% free fatty acids (FFA), lower than 0.2% moisture is combined with 1000 ppm of PP-MEC and methanol in a high-pressure reaction vessel. Typical process temperatures are lower than 480 degF, whereas usual pressures are about 800 psi. After step one, yield is composed of 92% biodiesel, 7% monoglycerides, 2% diglycerides and glycerine with no salts or soaps. With the new process, savings on overall catalyst costs range 8-10%. Methes Energies is working to upgrade the new process to commercial scale, and hardware installation is set in early 2015. The company has also devised a high heat, low pressure version of the new pre-treatment process intended for removal of waxes and colour from distilled corn oil (DCO) and FFA esterification. The revised process, which operates at 240 psi, can be used to enhance DCO quality and to make MARCH 2015
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Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, were able to produce high octane number petrol out of biomass-derived gamma-valerolactone (GVL), an organic compound that is usually mixed in small volumes with diesel or petrol. They were able to generate a 2,2,4-trimethylpentane-rich substance with an octane number of 95.4 using an ionic liquid catalyst. The chemical produced by the researchers can be a greener alternative to petrol, which is usually derived from fossil fuels. Original Source: Green Chemistry Network Newsletter, Jan 2015, (48), 8 (Website: http://www.greenchemistrynetwork.org) © Green Chemistry Network 2015
Block copolymers made without phthalate catalysts
UW to expand research into advanced, economically viable bioproducts
A polypropylene-based block copolymer has been developed by the Chemicals Division of Repsol. The new polymers are made with catalysts and do not contain phthalates. These are suited for use in injection moulding of goods like buckets and cases, food preservation products, consumer goods, and extruded film and sheet and non-wovens for hygiene products.
Together with the University of Minnesota and Argonne Laboratory, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) will find ways to produce renewable plastic precursors and other chemicals out of biomass. Argonne Laboratory will offer highthroughput equipment for the analysis of large volumes of catalysts utilized in converting biomass, while the University of Minnesota will assist in separating products from the reactants and solvents consumed in the production. The partnership of the universities has already received $3.3 M financial support from the US Department of Energy. The said grant is part of the department’s $14.4 M worth of support for the development of advanced biofuels and bioproducts.
Original Source: Plastics News, 28 Jan 2015 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com) © Crain Communications Inc 2015
DTU leads NonPrecious catalysts project The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Energy), is developing a platinum-free catalyst for PEM fuel cells under the NonPrecious project. The four-year collaborative project is worth DKR 21 M ($3.2 M), with DKR 16 M ($2.4 M) from Innovation Fund Denmark. Other project partners include universities, fuel cell industry players, and research groups from China and Canada. Original Source: Fuel Cells Bulletin, Jan 2015, 11 (Website: http://www.elsevierscitech.com/nl/fcb/home.asp) © Elsevier Ltd 2015
Driving towards success with biomassderived petrol Scientists from the Institute of Process Engineering at the Chinese
6
Original Source: Green Chemistry Network Newsletter, Jan 2015, (48), 13 (Website: http://www.greenchemistrynetwork.org) © Green Chemistry Network 2015
Immobilized enzyme technology enters commercial stage A new patent-protected biodiesel technology platform based on immobilized enzymes has been developed by TransBiodiesel. The technology can be used to produce EN and ASTM biodiesel using any feedstock containing 0-100% free fatty acids (FFAs), such as brown grease, crude plant oils, palm fatty acid distillates and used cooking oil. The immobilized enzymes have a
long operational lifetime and can be used without need for replacement for 6-12 months, based on the feedstock. With the new technology, 3000-4000 tonnes of biodiesel can be produced using 1 tonne of the biocatalyst. Separately, TransBiodiesel has an ongoing joint venture with Appalachian Biofuels where TransBiodiesel’s immobilized enzyme platform will be used for producing 28 M gal/y at a site in Russell Country, VA, by 1 Aug 2015. Other joint ventures in the US include a 1 M gal/y pilot facility with a different firm, and a development for producing 5 M gal/y biodiesel by Feb 2015. Original Source: Biodiesel Magazine, Jan-Feb 2015, 12 (1), 6 (Website: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com) © BBI International 2015
Ever-evolving biodiesel technology developments New developments and current optimization techniques in biodiesel technology are discussed. Methes Energies has unveiled a new biodiesel pre-treatment process based on PP-MEC, a noncorrosive liquid catalyst produced by Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts LLC. In the process, which uses feedstock of up to 70% free fatty acids (FFA), lower than 0.2% moisture is combined with 1000 ppm of PP-MEC and methanol in a high-pressure reaction vessel. Typical process temperatures are lower than 480 degF, whereas usual pressures are about 800 psi. After step one, yield is composed of 92% biodiesel, 7% monoglycerides, 2% diglycerides and glycerine with no salts or soaps. With the new process, savings on overall catalyst costs range 8-10%. Methes Energies is working to upgrade the new process to commercial scale, and hardware installation is set in early 2015. The company has also devised a high heat, low pressure version of the new pre-treatment process intended for removal of waxes and colour from distilled corn oil (DCO) and FFA esterification. The revised process, which operates at 240 psi, can be used to enhance DCO quality and to make MARCH 2015