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Renewable fuels from CO2 using cheap efficient catalysts
FOCUS Novozymes agreed to jointly develop the enzyme technology. Original Source: Renewable Energy News, 6 Jul 2016, (Website: http://www. renewableenergyworld.com) © RenewableEnergyWorld.com 2016.
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transform CO2 into a hydrogen/CO mixture similar to syngas. It has the potential for use as a cheaper alternative in catalyzing CO2 reduction. Original Source: Chemistry in Australia, Jun 2016, 17 (Website: http://www.raci.org.au) © The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Incorporated 2016.
NEL creates hydrogen solutions business, links with Greenstat Norway-based NEL ASA has formed NEL Hydrogen Solutions, a system and integration specialist for the worldwide hydrogen industry. NEL Hydrogen Solutions comprises NEL Hydrogen Fueling, NEL Hydrogen Solutions and NEL Hydrogen Electrolyser. It will focus on hydrogen fuelling station networks, energy storage technologies, renewable hydrogen generation, continuous renewable supply and other services. In other news, NEL has partnered with Greenstat for the joint development of large- and small-scale 'green' hydrogen manufacturing facilities in Norway. Eventual geographical expansion (EU, US, Japan) is also planned. The partners target to develop hydrogen production facilities using renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Original Source: Fuel Cells Bulletin, Jun 2016, 10 (Website: http://www.elsevierscitech.com/ nl/fcb/home.asp) © Elsevier Ltd 2016.
BASF postpones methane-topropylene (MTP) plant decision BASF has agreed to reschedule the decision on a 475,000-tonne/y methaneto-propylene (MTP) unit in Freeport, TX, US, due to unstable pricing of raw materials and the passiveness of current economic environment. The decision on project had been anticipated in mid-2016. Launching of the facility had been expected in 2019. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 1319 Jun 2016, 289 (22), 6 (Website: http:// www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2016.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Terminal olefins synthesized using cheap butadiene Using a cheap nickel catalyst, Osaka University experts in Japan have introduced an alkyl group and a benzene ring to an internal and terminal carbons of 1, 6-octadiene to form consecutive bonds with two butadiene molecules, a breakthrough for the synthesis of highvalue terminal olefins. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 7 Jun 2016, 194 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2016.
Magnetic enzyme immobilization set to unlock the power of biocatalysis ZYMtronix, an Ithaca, NY, USheadquartered spinout from Cornell University, has created a universal process involving magnetic nanoparticles (5-10 nm in diameter) that self-assemble into magnetic clusters to permanently capture and stabilize enzymes. The new method involves: (1) quick optimization to find the ideal enzyme-to-nanoparticle ratio to create the clusters; (2) screening of clusters to determine the immobilized enzymes with the highest activities; and (3) development of client fitted magnetic tools for their equipment to combine, gather and recycle enzyme-cluster-carrier assemblies. The enzyme-cluster combinations may be magnetically coupled with a magnetic macroporous carrier for easier use. ZYMtronix has scaled up its technology to grams of immobilized enzymes in continuous and batch processes. The firm is now negotiating with potential strategic partners for the evaluation of the platform at larger scales. Original Source: Chemical Engineering Progress, May 2016, 18 (Website: http://www. aiche.org/cep) © American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2016.
Renewable fuels from CO2 using cheap efficient catalysts
Nanotechnology: self-cleaning textiles using nanodeposition
Researchers from Monash University have prepared an inexpensive electrocatalyst containing amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) immobilized on a polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The new agent can efficiently
A team of scientists at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, are assessing how copper and silver nanostructures help to catalyze the degradation of organic matter, such as dirt, when exposed to light. The challenge for the group was to explore
6
how to build these nanostructures on an industrial scale and permanently attach them to textiles. According to the study, the copper fabrics were the better catalysts compared to silver fabrics. Under dark conditions, ferricyanide was reduced to ferrocyanide in five mins for the copper fabrics compared to 45 mins for the silver fabrics. Under visible light, the reaction times for both silver and copper fabrics were faster. The silver group retains its catalytic efficiency for around 15 consecutive catalytic cycles. The team aims to evaluate its nano-enhanced textiles with organic compounds for the management of common stains like wine or tomato sauce. Original Source: Chemistry and Industry (London), Jun 2016, 80 (4), 7 (Website: http:// www.soci.org/) © Society of Chemical Industry 2016.
Catalyzing commercialization: zeroCO2-emission fermentation technology facilitates efficient routes to biobased chemicals New Castle, DE, US-based Elcriton Inc has created a method to ferment sugar into ethanol at the same time transform CO2 into an intermediate that can be further processed into ethanol or other bioproducts. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the new process uses bacteria known as acetogens, which ferment sugars and process CO2 to stoichiometrically form acetyl-CoA, a vital catalyst in biochemical reactions and part of metabolism. It involves the addition of synthesis gas or hydrogen to the fermentation broth. The technology runs continuously, raising volumetric productivity by two orders of magnitude, and proportionally decreases fermentation capital costs and volumes by 50% or more compared to conventional processes uses in fermentation. Elcriton is now aiming to scale up a continuous fermentation technology to generate 100 kg/d of acetone and support engineering design for scaleup to a commercial production unit. Original Source: Chemical Engineering Progress, Jan 2016, (Website: http://www. aiche.org/cep) © American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2016.
MOFs found effective in removing acetylene from ethylene streams National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) experts have utilized SIFSIX, a type of metal-organic framework (MOF), to filter out acetylene from ethylene during plastics production. The technology exhibited record selectivity (below 2 ppm) and adsorption capacity,
August 2016
ON
C ATA LY S T S
transform CO2 into a hydrogen/CO mixture similar to syngas. It has the potential for use as a cheaper alternative in catalyzing CO2 reduction. Original Source: Chemistry in Australia, Jun 2016, 17 (Website: http://www.raci.org.au) © The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Incorporated 2016.
NEL creates hydrogen solutions business, links with Greenstat Norway-based NEL ASA has formed NEL Hydrogen Solutions, a system and integration specialist for the worldwide hydrogen industry. NEL Hydrogen Solutions comprises NEL Hydrogen Fueling, NEL Hydrogen Solutions and NEL Hydrogen Electrolyser. It will focus on hydrogen fuelling station networks, energy storage technologies, renewable hydrogen generation, continuous renewable supply and other services. In other news, NEL has partnered with Greenstat for the joint development of large- and small-scale 'green' hydrogen manufacturing facilities in Norway. Eventual geographical expansion (EU, US, Japan) is also planned. The partners target to develop hydrogen production facilities using renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Original Source: Fuel Cells Bulletin, Jun 2016, 10 (Website: http://www.elsevierscitech.com/ nl/fcb/home.asp) © Elsevier Ltd 2016.
BASF postpones methane-topropylene (MTP) plant decision BASF has agreed to reschedule the decision on a 475,000-tonne/y methaneto-propylene (MTP) unit in Freeport, TX, US, due to unstable pricing of raw materials and the passiveness of current economic environment. The decision on project had been anticipated in mid-2016. Launching of the facility had been expected in 2019. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 1319 Jun 2016, 289 (22), 6 (Website: http:// www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2016.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Terminal olefins synthesized using cheap butadiene Using a cheap nickel catalyst, Osaka University experts in Japan have introduced an alkyl group and a benzene ring to an internal and terminal carbons of 1, 6-octadiene to form consecutive bonds with two butadiene molecules, a breakthrough for the synthesis of highvalue terminal olefins. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 7 Jun 2016, 194 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2016.
Magnetic enzyme immobilization set to unlock the power of biocatalysis ZYMtronix, an Ithaca, NY, USheadquartered spinout from Cornell University, has created a universal process involving magnetic nanoparticles (5-10 nm in diameter) that self-assemble into magnetic clusters to permanently capture and stabilize enzymes. The new method involves: (1) quick optimization to find the ideal enzyme-to-nanoparticle ratio to create the clusters; (2) screening of clusters to determine the immobilized enzymes with the highest activities; and (3) development of client fitted magnetic tools for their equipment to combine, gather and recycle enzyme-cluster-carrier assemblies. The enzyme-cluster combinations may be magnetically coupled with a magnetic macroporous carrier for easier use. ZYMtronix has scaled up its technology to grams of immobilized enzymes in continuous and batch processes. The firm is now negotiating with potential strategic partners for the evaluation of the platform at larger scales. Original Source: Chemical Engineering Progress, May 2016, 18 (Website: http://www. aiche.org/cep) © American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2016.
Renewable fuels from CO2 using cheap efficient catalysts
Nanotechnology: self-cleaning textiles using nanodeposition
Researchers from Monash University have prepared an inexpensive electrocatalyst containing amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) immobilized on a polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The new agent can efficiently
A team of scientists at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, are assessing how copper and silver nanostructures help to catalyze the degradation of organic matter, such as dirt, when exposed to light. The challenge for the group was to explore
6
how to build these nanostructures on an industrial scale and permanently attach them to textiles. According to the study, the copper fabrics were the better catalysts compared to silver fabrics. Under dark conditions, ferricyanide was reduced to ferrocyanide in five mins for the copper fabrics compared to 45 mins for the silver fabrics. Under visible light, the reaction times for both silver and copper fabrics were faster. The silver group retains its catalytic efficiency for around 15 consecutive catalytic cycles. The team aims to evaluate its nano-enhanced textiles with organic compounds for the management of common stains like wine or tomato sauce. Original Source: Chemistry and Industry (London), Jun 2016, 80 (4), 7 (Website: http:// www.soci.org/) © Society of Chemical Industry 2016.
Catalyzing commercialization: zeroCO2-emission fermentation technology facilitates efficient routes to biobased chemicals New Castle, DE, US-based Elcriton Inc has created a method to ferment sugar into ethanol at the same time transform CO2 into an intermediate that can be further processed into ethanol or other bioproducts. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the new process uses bacteria known as acetogens, which ferment sugars and process CO2 to stoichiometrically form acetyl-CoA, a vital catalyst in biochemical reactions and part of metabolism. It involves the addition of synthesis gas or hydrogen to the fermentation broth. The technology runs continuously, raising volumetric productivity by two orders of magnitude, and proportionally decreases fermentation capital costs and volumes by 50% or more compared to conventional processes uses in fermentation. Elcriton is now aiming to scale up a continuous fermentation technology to generate 100 kg/d of acetone and support engineering design for scaleup to a commercial production unit. Original Source: Chemical Engineering Progress, Jan 2016, (Website: http://www. aiche.org/cep) © American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2016.
MOFs found effective in removing acetylene from ethylene streams National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) experts have utilized SIFSIX, a type of metal-organic framework (MOF), to filter out acetylene from ethylene during plastics production. The technology exhibited record selectivity (below 2 ppm) and adsorption capacity,
August 2016