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Photocatalytic solids commercialised
F O C U S with controllable polyolefin structure has been developed. China Chemical Reporter, 16 Jun 2004, 15 (17), 13
Photocatalytic solids commercialised The Japanese company Yield Co Ltd has commercialised the product described in US patent 6,344,127 (see below). The product (‘Titanystar’) is an object made of titanium metal, or a titanium alloy, having an adherent coating of anatase. It can be used for destroying chlorinated hydrocarbons and for killing bacteria, and other uses are being sought. Japan Chemical Week, 3 Jun 2004, 45 (2272), 2
New catalyst yields high-octane isomerate UOP LLC has formulated PI-242, a new class of light paraffin isomerisation catalysts that are capable of achieving similar activity to that of chlorided alumina catalyst at lower capital costs. This product eliminates the need for a dryer since it is water tolerant. It does not also require a sulfur guard bed because it is sulfur tolerant and will recover from sulfur upsets. PI-242 is regenerable through a simple carbon burn and hydrogen reduction that can be performed in-situ or ex-situ. It does not need an organic chloride co-feed, or caustic treating. The catalyst can be integrated into UOP’s ParIsom/DIH isomerisation method and obtain the same level of RON as a unit employing a chlorided alumina catalyst. Hydrocarbon Processing, Jun 2004, 83 (6), 28,31
New catalysts to reduce trans fats Major catalyst producers are developing possible solutions to deal with the issue of trans fatty acids (TFAs). One solution is using precious metals as catalysts in the hydrogenation process. Other options include modifying reaction conditions when using nickel-based catalysts. Engelhard is currently developing new hydrogenation technologies which would allow the production of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with the desired low levels of TFAs and without the subsequent elevation of solid fat levels. Johnson Matthey is
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also involved in R&D for new low trans fat hydrogenation technology. The company is examining drop-in solutions for use in existing plants. These would probably involve precious metals catalysts such as platinum. Chemical Market Reporter, 14 Jun 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Catalyst increases C3 yield from FCC unit Grace Davison researchers have come up with a new family of propylene maximisation catalyst based on IMPACT technology. The new catalyst is said to enhance propylene production, demonstrate low-coke make, and impart favourable bottoms cracking activity using proprietary zeolite and matrix technologies. The product is hoped to be applied in an FCC unit in 2004. Hydrocarbon Processing, Jun 2004, 83 (6), 31
Rohm and Haas to develop designer acrylic polymers Rohm and Haas is to collaborate with the California Institute of Technology to develop new catalysts for radical polymerization. These catalysts will allow the synthesis of designer copolymers with properties which are currently not achievable by enabling monomers with various functional groups to be inserted at precise locations in the polymer. In the first instance Project Columbus will focus on acrylic copolymers for use in coatings which will have good rheological characteristics and therefore require a lower percentage of solvents. Chemisch2Weekblad, 2 Jun 2004 (Website: http://www.c2w.nl/welcome.html) (in Dutch) & Chemical and Engineering News, 7 Jun 2004, 82 (23), 12-13 & European Chemical News, 7 Jun 2004, 80 (2103), 25
and develop the required technologies. The plant will not produce fuel for the market, but rather will test different production methods on a larger scale than is currently possible at the Lund College of Technology. Ethanol production using anaerobic technology and enzyme hydrolysis will be studied and demonstrated. The 7-year programme stretches from 1998 to 2004 and has a budget of SKR 210 M. It is entirely funded by the energy authorities. Kemivarlden, Jun 2004, (6), 9 (in Swedish)
Ionic liquid catalyses a greener route to caprolactam Researchers at the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, including Professor Chiaki Yokoyama, are formulating a green synthetic route for epsilon-caprolactam (CPL) for Advanced Materials. Preliminary results reveal nearly 100% conversion and selectivity for CPL with the new catalyst and a 70% conversion and a 95% selectivity employing recycled catalyst. Yokoyama is also collaborating with Nippon Steel Chemical Co to evaluate the commercial feasibility of the method. Chemical Engineering (New York), May 2004, 111 (5), 19
Chinese chrome-free, high-shift catalyst approved Nanjing Chemical Industrial Group has developed a new low steam gas ratio, chrome-free high shift catalyst. This is its proprietary intellectual property. The environmentally acceptable catalyst has good activity and selectivity under conditions of low steam gas ratio. The catalyst utilises multiple additives to replace chrome. China Chemical Reporter, 16 May 2004, 15 (14), 14
Bioethanol production plant commissioned at Ornskoldsvik At the end of May 2004 a pilot plant was commissioned at Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, for making ethanol from lignin and forest industry waste. The plant has only an R&D function and at this phase of the project will not be used for commercial operations. The project, which is being run by Etanol Pilot i Sverige AB, will verify, optimize,
Toshiba unveils smallest methanol fuel cell Toshiba America Electronic Components has announced the prototype of a very small direct methanol fuel cell which can be integrated within hand-held electronic devices. It measures 0.87 x 2.2 x 0.18 inches and weighs 8.5 g. The company expects to commercialise
AUGUST 2004
Photocatalytic solids commercialised The Japanese company Yield Co Ltd has commercialised the product described in US patent 6,344,127 (see below). The product (‘Titanystar’) is an object made of titanium metal, or a titanium alloy, having an adherent coating of anatase. It can be used for destroying chlorinated hydrocarbons and for killing bacteria, and other uses are being sought. Japan Chemical Week, 3 Jun 2004, 45 (2272), 2
New catalyst yields high-octane isomerate UOP LLC has formulated PI-242, a new class of light paraffin isomerisation catalysts that are capable of achieving similar activity to that of chlorided alumina catalyst at lower capital costs. This product eliminates the need for a dryer since it is water tolerant. It does not also require a sulfur guard bed because it is sulfur tolerant and will recover from sulfur upsets. PI-242 is regenerable through a simple carbon burn and hydrogen reduction that can be performed in-situ or ex-situ. It does not need an organic chloride co-feed, or caustic treating. The catalyst can be integrated into UOP’s ParIsom/DIH isomerisation method and obtain the same level of RON as a unit employing a chlorided alumina catalyst. Hydrocarbon Processing, Jun 2004, 83 (6), 28,31
New catalysts to reduce trans fats Major catalyst producers are developing possible solutions to deal with the issue of trans fatty acids (TFAs). One solution is using precious metals as catalysts in the hydrogenation process. Other options include modifying reaction conditions when using nickel-based catalysts. Engelhard is currently developing new hydrogenation technologies which would allow the production of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with the desired low levels of TFAs and without the subsequent elevation of solid fat levels. Johnson Matthey is
6
O N
C ATA LY S T S
also involved in R&D for new low trans fat hydrogenation technology. The company is examining drop-in solutions for use in existing plants. These would probably involve precious metals catalysts such as platinum. Chemical Market Reporter, 14 Jun 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Catalyst increases C3 yield from FCC unit Grace Davison researchers have come up with a new family of propylene maximisation catalyst based on IMPACT technology. The new catalyst is said to enhance propylene production, demonstrate low-coke make, and impart favourable bottoms cracking activity using proprietary zeolite and matrix technologies. The product is hoped to be applied in an FCC unit in 2004. Hydrocarbon Processing, Jun 2004, 83 (6), 31
Rohm and Haas to develop designer acrylic polymers Rohm and Haas is to collaborate with the California Institute of Technology to develop new catalysts for radical polymerization. These catalysts will allow the synthesis of designer copolymers with properties which are currently not achievable by enabling monomers with various functional groups to be inserted at precise locations in the polymer. In the first instance Project Columbus will focus on acrylic copolymers for use in coatings which will have good rheological characteristics and therefore require a lower percentage of solvents. Chemisch2Weekblad, 2 Jun 2004 (Website: http://www.c2w.nl/welcome.html) (in Dutch) & Chemical and Engineering News, 7 Jun 2004, 82 (23), 12-13 & European Chemical News, 7 Jun 2004, 80 (2103), 25
and develop the required technologies. The plant will not produce fuel for the market, but rather will test different production methods on a larger scale than is currently possible at the Lund College of Technology. Ethanol production using anaerobic technology and enzyme hydrolysis will be studied and demonstrated. The 7-year programme stretches from 1998 to 2004 and has a budget of SKR 210 M. It is entirely funded by the energy authorities. Kemivarlden, Jun 2004, (6), 9 (in Swedish)
Ionic liquid catalyses a greener route to caprolactam Researchers at the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, including Professor Chiaki Yokoyama, are formulating a green synthetic route for epsilon-caprolactam (CPL) for Advanced Materials. Preliminary results reveal nearly 100% conversion and selectivity for CPL with the new catalyst and a 70% conversion and a 95% selectivity employing recycled catalyst. Yokoyama is also collaborating with Nippon Steel Chemical Co to evaluate the commercial feasibility of the method. Chemical Engineering (New York), May 2004, 111 (5), 19
Chinese chrome-free, high-shift catalyst approved Nanjing Chemical Industrial Group has developed a new low steam gas ratio, chrome-free high shift catalyst. This is its proprietary intellectual property. The environmentally acceptable catalyst has good activity and selectivity under conditions of low steam gas ratio. The catalyst utilises multiple additives to replace chrome. China Chemical Reporter, 16 May 2004, 15 (14), 14
Bioethanol production plant commissioned at Ornskoldsvik At the end of May 2004 a pilot plant was commissioned at Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, for making ethanol from lignin and forest industry waste. The plant has only an R&D function and at this phase of the project will not be used for commercial operations. The project, which is being run by Etanol Pilot i Sverige AB, will verify, optimize,
Toshiba unveils smallest methanol fuel cell Toshiba America Electronic Components has announced the prototype of a very small direct methanol fuel cell which can be integrated within hand-held electronic devices. It measures 0.87 x 2.2 x 0.18 inches and weighs 8.5 g. The company expects to commercialise
AUGUST 2004