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New catalyst boosts solar promise
F O C U S 1H 2011. A further 400,000 tonne production plants in China and other countries in Asia are being planned by SKC. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 75
Novozymes to make enzymes in Nebraska Novozymes has chosen Blair, Nebraska, for its new $80-100 M plant. It will produce enzymes for existing corn-based fuel ethanol and later, enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production. Operations are expected to start in late 2010. Initially, Novozymes plans to bring 100 new jobs to the state. Further development could increase the number significantly. BioTimes (Novozymes’ Enzyme e-zine), Sep 2008, (3), 4 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. Website: http://wwww.novozymes.com/biotimes)
Startup for a cellulose-starch ethanol plant Cupertino, CA-based AE Biofuels started up an integrated celluloseand-starch ethanol demonstration plant in Butte, MT, in Aug 2008. Plant capacity could reach 150,000 gallon/y of ethanol at full capacity. AE Biofuels optimizes process environments for multiple feedstocks by using ambienttemperature cellulose-starchhydrolysis enzyme (ATCSH) technology. Two separate enzyme preparations are involved in the ARSCH technology. Both preparations are generated by utilizing Hypocrea jecorina fungi cultivated in solid substrate culture. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 16
Chemrec to build a dimethyl ether plant in Sweden A biomass-based dimethyl ether (DME) facility will be constructed at the Smurfit Kappa paper mill at Pitea, Sweden, by renewable energy firm Chemrec. The project will be carried out in coordination with the engineering firm Topsoe. This is part of the bioDME biofuel initiative under the coordination of carmaker Volvo. Oils and Fats International, Nov 2008, 24 (8), 7
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NEW TECHNOLOGY New catalyst boosts solar promise US researchers have come up with a new process for storing power that could benefit the solar industry. The process uses a new catalyst comprising cobalt metal, phosphate, and an electrode that allows water to be split into oxygen and hydrogen. The new system could enable householders to use their photovoltaic panels as a power source during daytime, whilst at the same time using the energy to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen. This would then be used at night in a fuel cell to generate power.
generate a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at the plant. The syngas is then converted into waxy paraffins in an F-T reaction by using an iron catalyst in a slurry reactor at around 250° C and 15-25 bars. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 13
New nickel catalyst to boost manufacturing A new nickel-based catalyst that offers better processing route for manufacturers has been introduced by pharma catalyst technology company Reaxa. The Nickel EnCat is an immobilised nickel catalyst that confines the metal catalyst species inside a porous polymer bead. Metal residues are also prevented from polluting products and waste stream.
ICIS Chemical Business, 3 Nov 2008, 274 (17), 25
Manufacturing Chemist, Oct 2008, 79 (10), 20
A new F-T catalyst
Catalyst being developed for efficient EO production
Oxford, UK-based Oxford Catalysts Ltd has developed a new metal carbide F-T catalyst to produce second-generation biofuel in smallscale micro-channel reactors. The company used its patented organic matrix combustion process to produce the catalyst. The process ensures high metal loadings are achieved while regulating the crystal sizes. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 14
Starting into the future with a flexible raw material base BASF announces the development of a new catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process that enables the dedicated manufacture of olefins. This milestone lays the groundwork for the creation of a new process technology that could potentially broaden the range of raw materials, which can be used in synthesis gas-route olefins production. High Performance Plastics, Nov 2008, 10-11
F-T jet fuel from Rentech Los Angeles-based Rentech Inc’s first jet fuel has been generated from the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) product demonstration unit in Commerce City, CO. Natural gas is steam-reformed to
Nippon Shokubai intends to set up an ethylene oxide unit at its site in Kanagawa by Jun 2009. The plant will employ a new high-performance catalyst that has been developed to boost production of ethylene oxide while cutting energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. The company also plans to utilize the catalyst in producing acrylic acid at an 80,000 tonne/y factory in Hyogo. The plant is slated to be finished by end-2009 and start up in 2010. Japan Chemical Week, 13 Nov 2008, 49 (2490), 1
New indoor photocatalytic film in antifog and antidrip A new antifog and antidrip photocatalytic film has been added to Ube-Nitto’s portfolio of functional films. Hydwrap HW-VIS eco is being targeted for early commercialization for use in agricultural greenhouses, on indoor glass windows, and on vehicle windshields. The Japanese company’s innovative technology for hydrophilic materials was used to develop the new material. It is made by coating onto a polyethylene terephthalate film a photocatalytic material that can function as a photocatalyst even indoors. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Nov 2008, 49 (2489), 2
JANUARY 2009
Novozymes to make enzymes in Nebraska Novozymes has chosen Blair, Nebraska, for its new $80-100 M plant. It will produce enzymes for existing corn-based fuel ethanol and later, enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production. Operations are expected to start in late 2010. Initially, Novozymes plans to bring 100 new jobs to the state. Further development could increase the number significantly. BioTimes (Novozymes’ Enzyme e-zine), Sep 2008, (3), 4 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. Website: http://wwww.novozymes.com/biotimes)
Startup for a cellulose-starch ethanol plant Cupertino, CA-based AE Biofuels started up an integrated celluloseand-starch ethanol demonstration plant in Butte, MT, in Aug 2008. Plant capacity could reach 150,000 gallon/y of ethanol at full capacity. AE Biofuels optimizes process environments for multiple feedstocks by using ambienttemperature cellulose-starchhydrolysis enzyme (ATCSH) technology. Two separate enzyme preparations are involved in the ARSCH technology. Both preparations are generated by utilizing Hypocrea jecorina fungi cultivated in solid substrate culture. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 16
Chemrec to build a dimethyl ether plant in Sweden A biomass-based dimethyl ether (DME) facility will be constructed at the Smurfit Kappa paper mill at Pitea, Sweden, by renewable energy firm Chemrec. The project will be carried out in coordination with the engineering firm Topsoe. This is part of the bioDME biofuel initiative under the coordination of carmaker Volvo. Oils and Fats International, Nov 2008, 24 (8), 7
6
O N
C ATA LY S T S
NEW TECHNOLOGY New catalyst boosts solar promise US researchers have come up with a new process for storing power that could benefit the solar industry. The process uses a new catalyst comprising cobalt metal, phosphate, and an electrode that allows water to be split into oxygen and hydrogen. The new system could enable householders to use their photovoltaic panels as a power source during daytime, whilst at the same time using the energy to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen. This would then be used at night in a fuel cell to generate power.
generate a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at the plant. The syngas is then converted into waxy paraffins in an F-T reaction by using an iron catalyst in a slurry reactor at around 250° C and 15-25 bars. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 13
New nickel catalyst to boost manufacturing A new nickel-based catalyst that offers better processing route for manufacturers has been introduced by pharma catalyst technology company Reaxa. The Nickel EnCat is an immobilised nickel catalyst that confines the metal catalyst species inside a porous polymer bead. Metal residues are also prevented from polluting products and waste stream.
ICIS Chemical Business, 3 Nov 2008, 274 (17), 25
Manufacturing Chemist, Oct 2008, 79 (10), 20
A new F-T catalyst
Catalyst being developed for efficient EO production
Oxford, UK-based Oxford Catalysts Ltd has developed a new metal carbide F-T catalyst to produce second-generation biofuel in smallscale micro-channel reactors. The company used its patented organic matrix combustion process to produce the catalyst. The process ensures high metal loadings are achieved while regulating the crystal sizes. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2008, 115 (9), 14
Starting into the future with a flexible raw material base BASF announces the development of a new catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process that enables the dedicated manufacture of olefins. This milestone lays the groundwork for the creation of a new process technology that could potentially broaden the range of raw materials, which can be used in synthesis gas-route olefins production. High Performance Plastics, Nov 2008, 10-11
F-T jet fuel from Rentech Los Angeles-based Rentech Inc’s first jet fuel has been generated from the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) product demonstration unit in Commerce City, CO. Natural gas is steam-reformed to
Nippon Shokubai intends to set up an ethylene oxide unit at its site in Kanagawa by Jun 2009. The plant will employ a new high-performance catalyst that has been developed to boost production of ethylene oxide while cutting energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. The company also plans to utilize the catalyst in producing acrylic acid at an 80,000 tonne/y factory in Hyogo. The plant is slated to be finished by end-2009 and start up in 2010. Japan Chemical Week, 13 Nov 2008, 49 (2490), 1
New indoor photocatalytic film in antifog and antidrip A new antifog and antidrip photocatalytic film has been added to Ube-Nitto’s portfolio of functional films. Hydwrap HW-VIS eco is being targeted for early commercialization for use in agricultural greenhouses, on indoor glass windows, and on vehicle windshields. The Japanese company’s innovative technology for hydrophilic materials was used to develop the new material. It is made by coating onto a polyethylene terephthalate film a photocatalytic material that can function as a photocatalyst even indoors. Japan Chemical Week, 6 Nov 2008, 49 (2489), 2
JANUARY 2009