- Email: [email protected]
NITC signs agreement with Hindustan Petroleum
FOCUS agreed to seek out Japanese battery producers, automakers, and other companies that can help UK-based ACAL Energy in developing practical versions of its FlowCath platinum-free cathodes for PEM fuel cells. Fuel Cells Bulletin, Apr 2010, 10
Verenium reports financial results for 1Q 2010 Verenium Corp reported financial results for 1Q ended Mar 2010. Total revenues for 1Q 2010 were $13 M ($14.4 M in 1Q 2009), with product revenues representing 89% of total revenues for 1Q 2010 (73% in 1Q 2009). Product revenues for 1Q 2010 increased to $11.6 M ($10.6 M for 1Q 2009), primarily due to an increase in revenues from the company’s Veretase and Xylathin enzymes, which continued to gain acceptance in the grain ethanol markets, and Purifine enzyme for the soybean oil processing market. Net loss attributed to Verenium for 1Q 2010 was $12 M (net income of $3.3 M in 1Q 2009). R&D expenses were $16.999 M during 1Q 2010 ($17.815 M in 1Q 2009). Verenium Corp is a leader in the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, an environmentallyfriendly and renewable transportation fuel, as well as high-performance speciality enzymes for applications within the biofuels, industrial, and animal health markets. Verenium financial results 1Q 2010, 10 May 2010 (Verenium Corp, 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Tel: +1 617 674 5300. Website: http://www.verenium.com)
NEW PLANTS BASF expands MSA production in Ludwigshafen BASF is expanding methanesulfonic acid production at its plant at Ludwigshafen to over 30,000 tonne/y, with completion in 2012. The expansion will make BASF the leading producer of methanesulfonic acid. It will add 12 new jobs. Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 14 May 2010 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 17 May 2010, (508), 8 (in French) & Chemical and Engineering News, 17 May 2010, 88 (20), 17 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 621 600. Website: http://www.basf.com (11 May 2010)
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ZeaChem signs Cooperative Agreement with US DOE for $25 M grant to fund biorefinery construction ZeaChem Inc has signed a Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to receive the $25 M grant awarded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Biomass Program, and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The agreement allows ZeaChem to begin receiving the first phase of funding from the grant. The DOE grant will be used to construct and operate the cellulosic ethanol production capability that will be added to the core ZeaChem technology, which will produce ethyl acetate, the chemical precursor to ethanol. ZeaChem will begin producing cellulosic ethanol in 2011 at the company’s 250,000 gallon/y biorefinery, to be located in Boardman, OR. Press releases from: A&R Edelman, 201 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401. Tel: +1 650 762 2800. Fax: +1 650 762 2801. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.edelman.com (13 May and 2 Jun 2010)
Work starts at ‘world’s first’ biogasoline production plant Shell has commenced operations of a demonstration plant for converting plant sugars into gasoline and gasoline blend components, rather than ethanol. The 38,000 litre/y plant, located in Wisconsin, is part of a biogasoline R&D partnership between Shell and Virent. The new biofuel produced at the unit can be mixed with gasoline at high concentrations for use in conventional gasoline engines. The patented BioForming platform technology of Virent makes use of catalysts to transform plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules similar to those produced at a refinery. Petroleum Review, May 2010, 64 (760), 6 (The Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St, London W1G 7AR, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 7100. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7255 1472. Website: http://www.energyinst.org.uk)
Higher yields and lower cost are expected for this biomass-to-ethanol process BlueFire Ethanol will build a plant based on a biomass-to-ethanol process that promises higher yield and lower costs. The plant, to be constructed in Lancaster, CA, will
produce 4 M gallon/y (roughly 12,000 gallon/day of ethanol) from 130 dry ton/day of feed consisting of postsorted municipal waste. The Lancaster plant will be the first commercial-scale unit to use the biomass-to-ethanol process developed by US firm Arkenol Inc. The process converts cellulose and hemicellulose feedstocks unto glucose and xylose sugars with the use of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The plant will go online in autumn 2010. Chemical Engineering (New York), Dec 2009, 116 (13), 12
NEW TECHNOLOGY Haldor Topsoe develops novel lactic acid process A technology for producing lactic acid from biomass carbohydrates without fermentation using an inorganic, heterogeneous catalyst has been developed by researchers at Haldor Topsoe and the Technical University of Denmark. Chemical Week, 24 May 2010 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
German yeast catalyst improves yield of cellulosic bio-ethanol A new yeast catalyst technology for the production of cellulosic ethanol will be tested by German biofuels producer Butalco at a Hohenheim University pilot plant starting summer 2010. The company claims that the process is a cheaper and more efficient way of producing ethanol as it ferments C5 waste sugars. The company aims to make cellulosic ethanol a competitive alternative to gasoline. Ethanol Producer Magazine, May 2010 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com)
NITC signs agreement with Hindustan Petroleum The National Institute of Technology has inked a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd for conducting research in the application of nanotechnology in fuels. The project
JULY 2010
FOCUS has received a grant of Rup 1.2 crore, and will be carried out by the School of Nano Science and Technology of NITC. The project is titled ‘Investigations on the application of catalytic nanoparticles in diesel and bio-diesel’. The method developed by the project which, when applied, is expected to increase the efficiency of fuel by 5-10%. The project will focus on producing new types of diesel and bio-diesel, modified by catalytic nanoparticles to produce better fuel performances and minimise emissions to a large extent when compared to conventional fuels. (1 crore=10 M, 1 lakh=100,000). Chemical Engineering World, Feb 2010, 45 (2), 30
Fuel cell catalysts without platinum Nisshinbo Industries and Showa Denko are developing alternatives to platinum catalysts in a race among companies to make fuel cells a costeffective technology for eco-cars and other applications. Nisshinbo’s doped carbon catalyst costs a tenth of platinum catalysts, but the electrical output of fuel cells will need to reach a certain threshold for the catalysts to become commercially viable in automotive applications. Showa Denko’s catalysts, created by adding nitrogen and carbon to niobium and titanium oxides, cost just 5% of platinum-based technology. The company expects to develop other substitutes by 2015 when fuel-cell vehicles are expected to enter the mainstream. Japan Chemical Web, 24 May 2010 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Next generation autocatalysts from Nanostellar US firm Nanostellar has developed a new catalyst called NS Gold for automotive applications. The catalyst contains gold, together with conventional platinum and palladium metals. The use of gold as a partial substitute for more pricey platinum enables light- and heavy-duty diesel engine makers to cut emissions at lower costs. The company was recognized as 2008 Technology Pioneer by The World Economic Forum. Chemistry and Industry (London), 10 May 2010, (9), 26 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)
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ENVIRONMENT Gulf Chemical signs agreement resolving wastewater violations Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corp (Gulf Chemical), the world’s largest recycler of spent petroleum catalysts and a leading producer of ferroalloys, announced it had reached an agreement with the Travis County District Attorney, resolving the district attorney’s and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) criminal investigation into the past operation of the company’s wastewater treatment system at its catalyst recycling plant in Freeport, TX. Press release from: Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corp, PO Box 2290, 302 Midway Road, Freeport, TX 77542 2290. Tel: +1 979 415 1500. Fax: +1 979 415 1600. Website: http://www.gulfchem.com (28 May 2010)
China to reduce mercury pollution from PVC manufacture In Nov 2009, Chinese authorities introduced new legislation aimed at preventing pollution by heavy metals such as mercury. The Ministry of Environmental Protection is currently assessing the extent of mercury pollution in China. The calcium carbide process for PVC production uses vinyl chloride monomer synthesized using around 6960 tonne/y of mercury chloride catalysts. International trends aimed at limiting mercury emissions could also impact China, which currently relies on imports for 50% of its mercury consumption. A low-mercury catalyst has successfully been developed in China and around 583 tonnes were consumed by over 20 Chinese firms in 2009. China Chemical Reporter, 6 May 2010, 21 (9), 12-13
PATENTS Olefin oligomerisation in ionic liquids Olefin oligomers, suitable for use as fuel or lubricant components, can be made from monomers by catalysis in an ionic liquid plus an acid such as HCl. The process minimises the production of additional unsaturation and of branched hydrocarbons. US 7,732,654, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 8 Jun 2010
Regeneration of ionic liquid catalysts Ionic liquids used for oligomerisation tend to be de-activated by complexing with ‘conjunct polymers’. These polymers can be removed by reaction with aluminium metal, followed by extraction with a hydrocarbon solvent. US 7,732,364, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 8 Jun 2010
Recovery of metals from unsupported catalysts Metals are commonly recovered commercially from supported hydroprocessing catalysts, but unsupported catalysts such as molybdenum sulfide and nickel sulfide present different problems. This process uses ammoniacal pressure leaching. It can also be used for recovering vanadium from supported vanadia catalysts. US 7,736,607, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 15 Jun 2010
Increasing the catalytic activity of graphite nano-fibres Graphite nano-fibres are grown by heating metal powders in a carboncontaining atmosphere. Their catalytic activities can be increased by heating them to temperatures of 2300-3000°C in an inert atmosphere. They can catalyse oxidation, hydrogenation, oxidative dehydrogenation, and dehydrogenation. US 7,732,653, Catalytic Materials LLC, Pittsboro, NC, USA, 8 Jun 2010
Improved cobalt oxide catalysts It is difficult to make supported cobalt oxide catalysts (eg for the FischerTropsch process) of high surface area when the cobalt content is above about 20%. Addition of aluminium to the formulation permits the production of high surface area materials. It is hypothesised that metallic cobaltaluminium alloys are involved. US 7,732,370, Johnson Matthey PLC, London, UK, 8 Jun 2010
Improved SAPO-34 synthesis SAPO-34 is the preferred catalyst for the MTO process, but as usually made it consists of intergrowths of various zeotypes having both the CHA and AEI structures and differing
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Verenium reports financial results for 1Q 2010 Verenium Corp reported financial results for 1Q ended Mar 2010. Total revenues for 1Q 2010 were $13 M ($14.4 M in 1Q 2009), with product revenues representing 89% of total revenues for 1Q 2010 (73% in 1Q 2009). Product revenues for 1Q 2010 increased to $11.6 M ($10.6 M for 1Q 2009), primarily due to an increase in revenues from the company’s Veretase and Xylathin enzymes, which continued to gain acceptance in the grain ethanol markets, and Purifine enzyme for the soybean oil processing market. Net loss attributed to Verenium for 1Q 2010 was $12 M (net income of $3.3 M in 1Q 2009). R&D expenses were $16.999 M during 1Q 2010 ($17.815 M in 1Q 2009). Verenium Corp is a leader in the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, an environmentallyfriendly and renewable transportation fuel, as well as high-performance speciality enzymes for applications within the biofuels, industrial, and animal health markets. Verenium financial results 1Q 2010, 10 May 2010 (Verenium Corp, 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Tel: +1 617 674 5300. Website: http://www.verenium.com)
NEW PLANTS BASF expands MSA production in Ludwigshafen BASF is expanding methanesulfonic acid production at its plant at Ludwigshafen to over 30,000 tonne/y, with completion in 2012. The expansion will make BASF the leading producer of methanesulfonic acid. It will add 12 new jobs. Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 14 May 2010 (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 17 May 2010, (508), 8 (in French) & Chemical and Engineering News, 17 May 2010, 88 (20), 17 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org) & Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 621 600. Website: http://www.basf.com (11 May 2010)
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ZeaChem signs Cooperative Agreement with US DOE for $25 M grant to fund biorefinery construction ZeaChem Inc has signed a Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to receive the $25 M grant awarded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Biomass Program, and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The agreement allows ZeaChem to begin receiving the first phase of funding from the grant. The DOE grant will be used to construct and operate the cellulosic ethanol production capability that will be added to the core ZeaChem technology, which will produce ethyl acetate, the chemical precursor to ethanol. ZeaChem will begin producing cellulosic ethanol in 2011 at the company’s 250,000 gallon/y biorefinery, to be located in Boardman, OR. Press releases from: A&R Edelman, 201 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401. Tel: +1 650 762 2800. Fax: +1 650 762 2801. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.edelman.com (13 May and 2 Jun 2010)
Work starts at ‘world’s first’ biogasoline production plant Shell has commenced operations of a demonstration plant for converting plant sugars into gasoline and gasoline blend components, rather than ethanol. The 38,000 litre/y plant, located in Wisconsin, is part of a biogasoline R&D partnership between Shell and Virent. The new biofuel produced at the unit can be mixed with gasoline at high concentrations for use in conventional gasoline engines. The patented BioForming platform technology of Virent makes use of catalysts to transform plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules similar to those produced at a refinery. Petroleum Review, May 2010, 64 (760), 6 (The Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St, London W1G 7AR, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 7100. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7255 1472. Website: http://www.energyinst.org.uk)
Higher yields and lower cost are expected for this biomass-to-ethanol process BlueFire Ethanol will build a plant based on a biomass-to-ethanol process that promises higher yield and lower costs. The plant, to be constructed in Lancaster, CA, will
produce 4 M gallon/y (roughly 12,000 gallon/day of ethanol) from 130 dry ton/day of feed consisting of postsorted municipal waste. The Lancaster plant will be the first commercial-scale unit to use the biomass-to-ethanol process developed by US firm Arkenol Inc. The process converts cellulose and hemicellulose feedstocks unto glucose and xylose sugars with the use of concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The plant will go online in autumn 2010. Chemical Engineering (New York), Dec 2009, 116 (13), 12
NEW TECHNOLOGY Haldor Topsoe develops novel lactic acid process A technology for producing lactic acid from biomass carbohydrates without fermentation using an inorganic, heterogeneous catalyst has been developed by researchers at Haldor Topsoe and the Technical University of Denmark. Chemical Week, 24 May 2010 (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
German yeast catalyst improves yield of cellulosic bio-ethanol A new yeast catalyst technology for the production of cellulosic ethanol will be tested by German biofuels producer Butalco at a Hohenheim University pilot plant starting summer 2010. The company claims that the process is a cheaper and more efficient way of producing ethanol as it ferments C5 waste sugars. The company aims to make cellulosic ethanol a competitive alternative to gasoline. Ethanol Producer Magazine, May 2010 (Website: http://www.ethanolproducer.com)
NITC signs agreement with Hindustan Petroleum The National Institute of Technology has inked a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd for conducting research in the application of nanotechnology in fuels. The project
JULY 2010
FOCUS has received a grant of Rup 1.2 crore, and will be carried out by the School of Nano Science and Technology of NITC. The project is titled ‘Investigations on the application of catalytic nanoparticles in diesel and bio-diesel’. The method developed by the project which, when applied, is expected to increase the efficiency of fuel by 5-10%. The project will focus on producing new types of diesel and bio-diesel, modified by catalytic nanoparticles to produce better fuel performances and minimise emissions to a large extent when compared to conventional fuels. (1 crore=10 M, 1 lakh=100,000). Chemical Engineering World, Feb 2010, 45 (2), 30
Fuel cell catalysts without platinum Nisshinbo Industries and Showa Denko are developing alternatives to platinum catalysts in a race among companies to make fuel cells a costeffective technology for eco-cars and other applications. Nisshinbo’s doped carbon catalyst costs a tenth of platinum catalysts, but the electrical output of fuel cells will need to reach a certain threshold for the catalysts to become commercially viable in automotive applications. Showa Denko’s catalysts, created by adding nitrogen and carbon to niobium and titanium oxides, cost just 5% of platinum-based technology. The company expects to develop other substitutes by 2015 when fuel-cell vehicles are expected to enter the mainstream. Japan Chemical Web, 24 May 2010 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Next generation autocatalysts from Nanostellar US firm Nanostellar has developed a new catalyst called NS Gold for automotive applications. The catalyst contains gold, together with conventional platinum and palladium metals. The use of gold as a partial substitute for more pricey platinum enables light- and heavy-duty diesel engine makers to cut emissions at lower costs. The company was recognized as 2008 Technology Pioneer by The World Economic Forum. Chemistry and Industry (London), 10 May 2010, (9), 26 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)
JULY 2010
ON
C ATA LY S T S
ENVIRONMENT Gulf Chemical signs agreement resolving wastewater violations Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corp (Gulf Chemical), the world’s largest recycler of spent petroleum catalysts and a leading producer of ferroalloys, announced it had reached an agreement with the Travis County District Attorney, resolving the district attorney’s and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) criminal investigation into the past operation of the company’s wastewater treatment system at its catalyst recycling plant in Freeport, TX. Press release from: Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corp, PO Box 2290, 302 Midway Road, Freeport, TX 77542 2290. Tel: +1 979 415 1500. Fax: +1 979 415 1600. Website: http://www.gulfchem.com (28 May 2010)
China to reduce mercury pollution from PVC manufacture In Nov 2009, Chinese authorities introduced new legislation aimed at preventing pollution by heavy metals such as mercury. The Ministry of Environmental Protection is currently assessing the extent of mercury pollution in China. The calcium carbide process for PVC production uses vinyl chloride monomer synthesized using around 6960 tonne/y of mercury chloride catalysts. International trends aimed at limiting mercury emissions could also impact China, which currently relies on imports for 50% of its mercury consumption. A low-mercury catalyst has successfully been developed in China and around 583 tonnes were consumed by over 20 Chinese firms in 2009. China Chemical Reporter, 6 May 2010, 21 (9), 12-13
PATENTS Olefin oligomerisation in ionic liquids Olefin oligomers, suitable for use as fuel or lubricant components, can be made from monomers by catalysis in an ionic liquid plus an acid such as HCl. The process minimises the production of additional unsaturation and of branched hydrocarbons. US 7,732,654, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 8 Jun 2010
Regeneration of ionic liquid catalysts Ionic liquids used for oligomerisation tend to be de-activated by complexing with ‘conjunct polymers’. These polymers can be removed by reaction with aluminium metal, followed by extraction with a hydrocarbon solvent. US 7,732,364, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 8 Jun 2010
Recovery of metals from unsupported catalysts Metals are commonly recovered commercially from supported hydroprocessing catalysts, but unsupported catalysts such as molybdenum sulfide and nickel sulfide present different problems. This process uses ammoniacal pressure leaching. It can also be used for recovering vanadium from supported vanadia catalysts. US 7,736,607, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 15 Jun 2010
Increasing the catalytic activity of graphite nano-fibres Graphite nano-fibres are grown by heating metal powders in a carboncontaining atmosphere. Their catalytic activities can be increased by heating them to temperatures of 2300-3000°C in an inert atmosphere. They can catalyse oxidation, hydrogenation, oxidative dehydrogenation, and dehydrogenation. US 7,732,653, Catalytic Materials LLC, Pittsboro, NC, USA, 8 Jun 2010
Improved cobalt oxide catalysts It is difficult to make supported cobalt oxide catalysts (eg for the FischerTropsch process) of high surface area when the cobalt content is above about 20%. Addition of aluminium to the formulation permits the production of high surface area materials. It is hypothesised that metallic cobaltaluminium alloys are involved. US 7,732,370, Johnson Matthey PLC, London, UK, 8 Jun 2010
Improved SAPO-34 synthesis SAPO-34 is the preferred catalyst for the MTO process, but as usually made it consists of intergrowths of various zeotypes having both the CHA and AEI structures and differing
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