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Iron molybdate made without effluent
F O C U S removal of carbon dioxide from flue gas is facilitated via an enzymecatalyzed bicarbonate solution developed by Carbozyme. ExxonMobil is developing silicatebased zeolites as possible membrane separation materials. The advantages of membrane separation over alternative techniques are noted. China Chemical Reporter, 26 Jun 2009, 20 (18), 14
SK Energy 2008: R&D Technologies developed by SKEIT include the advanced catalytic olefin process and C4 olefin conversion technology. In partnership with Ajou University, the Institute is also working on a plastic made from 40% carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide plastic is a promising carbon capture and storage (CCS) material that does not emit toxic gas when burned. Commercialization is scheduled for 2011. SK Energy Annual Report 2008: Our Fundamentals: Tomorrow’s Energy, 12 Feb 2009, 56-57 (SK Energy, 99 Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-110, South Korea. Tel: +82 2 2121 5114. Fax: +82 2 2121 7001. Website: http://eng.skenergy.com/)
Showa unveils platinum-free catalysts for fuel cells Showa Denko has developed new low-cost alternatives to platinum catalysts used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The platinum catalyst substitutes have attained the highest level of performance compared with existing materials. Showa Denko’s niobium oxide and titanium dioxide catalysts feature open-circuit voltages of more than 1.00 V, which is near to 1.03-1.05 V of platinum catalysts. The alternatives also offer durability of 500 hours and a manufacturing cost of below Yen 500/kilowatt ($53.3), which is below one-twentieth to that of platinum catalysts. Showa Denko plans to further improve the catalysts’ performance using ultra-fineproduction technologies and highconductivity carbon materials, and boost their durability to over 10,000 hours. The company aims to launch the improved catalysts in FY 2015. Japan Chemical Web, 21 Jul 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp) & Press release from: Showa Denko KK, 13-9, Shiba Daimon, 1-Chome Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8518, Japan. Website: http://www.sdk.co.jp (16 Jul 2009)
SEPTEMBER 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Japan Unipet preparing to debut aluminium-catalyzed PET resin
peroxide. A bonus is the absence of anionic impurities in the product.
Japan Unipet has developed a heatresistant polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin that does not leave residues inside moulds during bottle production. The residue-free capability eliminates the mould cleaning process, resulting in greater productivity. The resin is made using a new aluminium-based catalyst from its parent Toyobo Co. Japan’s bottlegrade resin market is estimated at 600,000 tonne/y, with imports accounting for about half of the market.
US 7,572,752, Süd-Chemie Catalysts Italia SRL, Novara, Italy, 11 Aug 2009
Japan Chemical Web, 22 Jul 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Ionic liquid alkylation catalysts for making lubricants or fuels The problem is how to convert alpha olefins to saturated oligomers without the use of hydrogen or hydrogenation catalysts. Ionic liquids such as 1-butylpyridinium chloroaluminate plus a Bronsted acid (eg HCl) will achieve this. US 7,569,740, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 4 Aug 2009
Toluene disproportionation catalyst
ENVIRONMENT Dainichi Giken introduces photocatalytic heat-shielding paint A newly developed solar heatshielding paint from Dainichi Giken Kogyo contains a photocatalyst based on anatase titanium dioxide to break down nitrogen oxides into nitric acid ions (sic). The Japan-based company aims to market the product as a coating for building exteriors and roads. The new coating also includes a special kind of aggregate material, hollow ceramic balloons, and pigments that effectively bend back infrared rays. Consumption of solar heat-shielding paints in the Japan is expected to increase to 7000-10,000 tonne/y in 2012 from the current estimate of 4000 tonne/y. Japan Chemical Web, 6 Jul 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
PATENTS
The objective is to convert toluene to a mixture of benzene and xylenes. The catalyst is mordenite containing metallic nickel; the novelty is to selectively deactivate the nickel on the surface of the catalyst particles by a carefully controlled thermal process. Nickel within the mordenite channels is more active than nickel on the surface. The process minimises the production of non-aromatic species. US 7,572,945, Fina Technology Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 11 Aug 2009
Apparatus and method for preferentally oxidising CO A prefential oxidation reactor for removing CO from hydrogen-rich streams for feeding fuel cells is described. The problem is how to oxidise the CO but not the H2. Many catalysts can be used, such as platinum on alumina or a zeolite. A mixed cerium/copper oxide is recommended. US 7,572,304, Texaco Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 11 Aug 2009
Iron molybdate made without effluent Propylene oligomerisation The usual catalyst for oxidising methanol to formaldehyde is iron molybdate, based on the AdkinsPeterson process of 1931. Solution routes to the catalyst inevitably produce troublesome aqueous effluents. An ingenious method for making the catalyst involves reacting iron powder with molybdenum trioxide in an aqueous suspension and then oxidising the product with hydrogen
A complicated process for converting propylene to its oligomers. Two reactors are used in series, containing two different zeolite catalysts. The first reactor contains zeolite Theta-1 which produces dimers; the second contains zeolite ZSM-57 which converts these to trimers. US 7,572,947, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 11 Aug 2009
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SK Energy 2008: R&D Technologies developed by SKEIT include the advanced catalytic olefin process and C4 olefin conversion technology. In partnership with Ajou University, the Institute is also working on a plastic made from 40% carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide plastic is a promising carbon capture and storage (CCS) material that does not emit toxic gas when burned. Commercialization is scheduled for 2011. SK Energy Annual Report 2008: Our Fundamentals: Tomorrow’s Energy, 12 Feb 2009, 56-57 (SK Energy, 99 Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-110, South Korea. Tel: +82 2 2121 5114. Fax: +82 2 2121 7001. Website: http://eng.skenergy.com/)
Showa unveils platinum-free catalysts for fuel cells Showa Denko has developed new low-cost alternatives to platinum catalysts used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The platinum catalyst substitutes have attained the highest level of performance compared with existing materials. Showa Denko’s niobium oxide and titanium dioxide catalysts feature open-circuit voltages of more than 1.00 V, which is near to 1.03-1.05 V of platinum catalysts. The alternatives also offer durability of 500 hours and a manufacturing cost of below Yen 500/kilowatt ($53.3), which is below one-twentieth to that of platinum catalysts. Showa Denko plans to further improve the catalysts’ performance using ultra-fineproduction technologies and highconductivity carbon materials, and boost their durability to over 10,000 hours. The company aims to launch the improved catalysts in FY 2015. Japan Chemical Web, 21 Jul 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp) & Press release from: Showa Denko KK, 13-9, Shiba Daimon, 1-Chome Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8518, Japan. Website: http://www.sdk.co.jp (16 Jul 2009)
SEPTEMBER 2009
O N
C ATA LY S T S
Japan Unipet preparing to debut aluminium-catalyzed PET resin
peroxide. A bonus is the absence of anionic impurities in the product.
Japan Unipet has developed a heatresistant polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin that does not leave residues inside moulds during bottle production. The residue-free capability eliminates the mould cleaning process, resulting in greater productivity. The resin is made using a new aluminium-based catalyst from its parent Toyobo Co. Japan’s bottlegrade resin market is estimated at 600,000 tonne/y, with imports accounting for about half of the market.
US 7,572,752, Süd-Chemie Catalysts Italia SRL, Novara, Italy, 11 Aug 2009
Japan Chemical Web, 22 Jul 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Ionic liquid alkylation catalysts for making lubricants or fuels The problem is how to convert alpha olefins to saturated oligomers without the use of hydrogen or hydrogenation catalysts. Ionic liquids such as 1-butylpyridinium chloroaluminate plus a Bronsted acid (eg HCl) will achieve this. US 7,569,740, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 4 Aug 2009
Toluene disproportionation catalyst
ENVIRONMENT Dainichi Giken introduces photocatalytic heat-shielding paint A newly developed solar heatshielding paint from Dainichi Giken Kogyo contains a photocatalyst based on anatase titanium dioxide to break down nitrogen oxides into nitric acid ions (sic). The Japan-based company aims to market the product as a coating for building exteriors and roads. The new coating also includes a special kind of aggregate material, hollow ceramic balloons, and pigments that effectively bend back infrared rays. Consumption of solar heat-shielding paints in the Japan is expected to increase to 7000-10,000 tonne/y in 2012 from the current estimate of 4000 tonne/y. Japan Chemical Web, 6 Jul 2009 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
PATENTS
The objective is to convert toluene to a mixture of benzene and xylenes. The catalyst is mordenite containing metallic nickel; the novelty is to selectively deactivate the nickel on the surface of the catalyst particles by a carefully controlled thermal process. Nickel within the mordenite channels is more active than nickel on the surface. The process minimises the production of non-aromatic species. US 7,572,945, Fina Technology Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 11 Aug 2009
Apparatus and method for preferentally oxidising CO A prefential oxidation reactor for removing CO from hydrogen-rich streams for feeding fuel cells is described. The problem is how to oxidise the CO but not the H2. Many catalysts can be used, such as platinum on alumina or a zeolite. A mixed cerium/copper oxide is recommended. US 7,572,304, Texaco Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 11 Aug 2009
Iron molybdate made without effluent Propylene oligomerisation The usual catalyst for oxidising methanol to formaldehyde is iron molybdate, based on the AdkinsPeterson process of 1931. Solution routes to the catalyst inevitably produce troublesome aqueous effluents. An ingenious method for making the catalyst involves reacting iron powder with molybdenum trioxide in an aqueous suspension and then oxidising the product with hydrogen
A complicated process for converting propylene to its oligomers. Two reactors are used in series, containing two different zeolite catalysts. The first reactor contains zeolite Theta-1 which produces dimers; the second contains zeolite ZSM-57 which converts these to trimers. US 7,572,947, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc, Houston, TX, USA, 11 Aug 2009
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