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Improved catalysts for making vinyl acetate
F O C U S also conducting research on lignin cracking, enzymatic oxidation, pyrolysis, and gasification. One of the fruits of this research is a new biomass pre-treatment method that is more readily adaptable to enzymatic hydrolysis than existing processes. Kemia – Kemi, May 2009, 36 (5), 36-38
ENVIRONMENT US labour union seeks end to HF in refineries The United Steelworkers union is appealing for a phaseout of hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation units in the USA for safety reasons. The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association opposed the call, arguing that HF is safe like other catalysts and is an important production component. ICIS Chemical Business, 7 Sep 2009 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
HF release at Jolief refinery investigated A team from the US Chemical Safety Board will investigate the propane and hydrogen fluoride (HF) leakage at ExxonMobil Corp’s 240,000 bbl/day refinery in Joliet, IL. An operator, who suffered serious HF-related chemical burns during the 6 Aug 2009 incident, was hospitalized and was initially reported to be in critical condition. Another operator was also rushed to the hospital, but was immediately discharged. Oil and Gas Journal, 17 Aug 2009, 107 (31), 9
USW seeks phase-out of HF alkylation units The United Steelworkers Union (SWU) has asked for a countrywide phase-out of hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation units at refineries, claiming that a solidstate catalyst offers promise as safer substitute although it is only employed at the pilot plant stage. Hydrogen fluoride is used as a catalyst in alkylation units, while sulfuric acid is the primary commercially used catalyst substitute. Both acids are classified as hazardous chemicals. SWU claimed there have been three HF release incidents since Mar 2009. HF was
NOVEMBER 2009
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C ATA LY S T S
released from the alkylation unit at the 330,000 bbl/day Philadelphia refinery of Sunoco Inc on 11 Mar 2009. HF was also released during a fire at the 156,800 bbl/day Corpus Christi refinery of Citgo Petroleum Corp on 19 Jul 2009; and from the alkylation unit at the Joliet, IL, refinery of ExxonMobil on 6 Aug 2009. In reaction to USW’s petition, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association president said that HF is safe just like any other catalyst, and is an essential component in refinery operations. Meanwhile, a refinery could spend as much as $125 M to change its HF unit to a modified HF unit, says an American Petroleum Institute adviser.
way catalyst system. The composite oxide stores the sulfur as sulfides. US 7,598,205, Toyota Jidoshi KK, Tayota-shi, Aichiken, Japan, 6 Oct 2009
F-C acylation in ionic liquids Aromatic ketones are made by acylating an aromatic compound with an acid anhydride in an ionic liquid such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate. No added catalyst or solvent is necessary. US 7,595,425, Institut Universitari de Ciencia I Tecnologia, Mollet del Valles, Spain, 29 Sep 2009
Zeolite synthesis using novel structure directing agents
Oil and Gas Journal, 7 Sep 2009, 107 (33), 32
Ube promoting photocatalytic-fibre units for water purification Ube Industries is promoting its highly efficient Aqua Solution equipment made of photocatalytic-fibre modules for use in industrial wastewater treatment and high-purity-water recycling in plants. Compared with an existing version, Aqua Solution is 10 times more efficient in decomposing organic material. It also has the ability to produce higher-purity water unlike ultraviolet and ozone treatment. Ube is also planning to target water-supply applications, particularly in getting rid of musty odours in drinking water. Laboratory tests show that Aqua Solution was able to remove persistent substances much more effectively compared with ozonetreatment systems, and was easier to operate, although it is rather costly. Aside from water sterilization, Ube has been underlining water purification for industrial purposes, including high-purity-water treatment. Japan Chemical Web, 1 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
PATENTS Suppression of H2S from vehicle exhausts Emission of H2S during periods when exhausts are in the reduced state can be suppressed by adding a bismuthtitanium composite oxide to the three-
Chabazite-type zeolites can be synthesised using various exotic, expensive organic templates. This patent claims the use of the relatively inexpensive benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide as the template. US 7,597,874, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 6 Oct 2009
Improved catalysts for making vinyl acetate The improvements claimed are reduction of the quantities of byproducts, and production efficiency. The catalysts are supported precious metals. US 7,598,198, Celanese International Corp, Dallas, TX, USA, 6 Oct 2009
Photocatalytic layers on glass There are various ways of improving the photochemical effects of titania layers on glass made by the float glass process. This patent describes improvements made by doping the titania layers with various metal oxides, and by inserting an extra layer between the glass and the titania. US 7,597,930, Saint-Gobain Glass France, Paris, France, 6 Oct 2009
Spherical support for olefin polymerization catalyst The catalysts described here are essentially Philips catalysts – chromia on silica – known for 50 years. The improvement is in the choice of organic solvents used in combination in making the catalyst spheres. US 7,598,201, Basell Polyolefine GmbH, Wesseling, Germany, 6 Oct 2009
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ENVIRONMENT US labour union seeks end to HF in refineries The United Steelworkers union is appealing for a phaseout of hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation units in the USA for safety reasons. The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association opposed the call, arguing that HF is safe like other catalysts and is an important production component. ICIS Chemical Business, 7 Sep 2009 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
HF release at Jolief refinery investigated A team from the US Chemical Safety Board will investigate the propane and hydrogen fluoride (HF) leakage at ExxonMobil Corp’s 240,000 bbl/day refinery in Joliet, IL. An operator, who suffered serious HF-related chemical burns during the 6 Aug 2009 incident, was hospitalized and was initially reported to be in critical condition. Another operator was also rushed to the hospital, but was immediately discharged. Oil and Gas Journal, 17 Aug 2009, 107 (31), 9
USW seeks phase-out of HF alkylation units The United Steelworkers Union (SWU) has asked for a countrywide phase-out of hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation units at refineries, claiming that a solidstate catalyst offers promise as safer substitute although it is only employed at the pilot plant stage. Hydrogen fluoride is used as a catalyst in alkylation units, while sulfuric acid is the primary commercially used catalyst substitute. Both acids are classified as hazardous chemicals. SWU claimed there have been three HF release incidents since Mar 2009. HF was
NOVEMBER 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
released from the alkylation unit at the 330,000 bbl/day Philadelphia refinery of Sunoco Inc on 11 Mar 2009. HF was also released during a fire at the 156,800 bbl/day Corpus Christi refinery of Citgo Petroleum Corp on 19 Jul 2009; and from the alkylation unit at the Joliet, IL, refinery of ExxonMobil on 6 Aug 2009. In reaction to USW’s petition, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association president said that HF is safe just like any other catalyst, and is an essential component in refinery operations. Meanwhile, a refinery could spend as much as $125 M to change its HF unit to a modified HF unit, says an American Petroleum Institute adviser.
way catalyst system. The composite oxide stores the sulfur as sulfides. US 7,598,205, Toyota Jidoshi KK, Tayota-shi, Aichiken, Japan, 6 Oct 2009
F-C acylation in ionic liquids Aromatic ketones are made by acylating an aromatic compound with an acid anhydride in an ionic liquid such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate. No added catalyst or solvent is necessary. US 7,595,425, Institut Universitari de Ciencia I Tecnologia, Mollet del Valles, Spain, 29 Sep 2009
Zeolite synthesis using novel structure directing agents
Oil and Gas Journal, 7 Sep 2009, 107 (33), 32
Ube promoting photocatalytic-fibre units for water purification Ube Industries is promoting its highly efficient Aqua Solution equipment made of photocatalytic-fibre modules for use in industrial wastewater treatment and high-purity-water recycling in plants. Compared with an existing version, Aqua Solution is 10 times more efficient in decomposing organic material. It also has the ability to produce higher-purity water unlike ultraviolet and ozone treatment. Ube is also planning to target water-supply applications, particularly in getting rid of musty odours in drinking water. Laboratory tests show that Aqua Solution was able to remove persistent substances much more effectively compared with ozonetreatment systems, and was easier to operate, although it is rather costly. Aside from water sterilization, Ube has been underlining water purification for industrial purposes, including high-purity-water treatment. Japan Chemical Web, 1 Oct 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
PATENTS Suppression of H2S from vehicle exhausts Emission of H2S during periods when exhausts are in the reduced state can be suppressed by adding a bismuthtitanium composite oxide to the three-
Chabazite-type zeolites can be synthesised using various exotic, expensive organic templates. This patent claims the use of the relatively inexpensive benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide as the template. US 7,597,874, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 6 Oct 2009
Improved catalysts for making vinyl acetate The improvements claimed are reduction of the quantities of byproducts, and production efficiency. The catalysts are supported precious metals. US 7,598,198, Celanese International Corp, Dallas, TX, USA, 6 Oct 2009
Photocatalytic layers on glass There are various ways of improving the photochemical effects of titania layers on glass made by the float glass process. This patent describes improvements made by doping the titania layers with various metal oxides, and by inserting an extra layer between the glass and the titania. US 7,597,930, Saint-Gobain Glass France, Paris, France, 6 Oct 2009
Spherical support for olefin polymerization catalyst The catalysts described here are essentially Philips catalysts – chromia on silica – known for 50 years. The improvement is in the choice of organic solvents used in combination in making the catalyst spheres. US 7,598,201, Basell Polyolefine GmbH, Wesseling, Germany, 6 Oct 2009
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