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Surface-stabilised gold nanocatalysts
F O C U S F-T technology makes a comeback in small- and large-scale refineries A number of companies have revived the use of Fischer-Tropsch technology to synthesize liquid fuel from new, climate-friendly renewable feedstocks, particularly biomass and ‘stranded gas.’ Choren Industries has started production of syngas at its Beta plant at Freiberg, Germany, via the F-T process. A 15,000 tonne/y capacity biomass-to-liquid (BTL) fuel production is slated to start in early 2010. The Choren Group plans to construct a large-scale BTL production facility in Schwedt, Germany, pending the necessary industrial policy legislation. Oxford Catalysts has developed a novel process for producing metal catalysts, called the organic matrix combustion method, which ensures a narrower particle size range. The company’s F-T catalysts can be used in Velocys-developed microchannel reactors. The reactors allows localscale, workable and economic production of next-generation biofuels. In preparation for a planned full commercialization in 2011, Oxford Catalysts aims to set up commercial-scale demonstration units in 2009 and 2010. Chemistry and Industry (London), 23 Nov 2009, (22), 21-23
Platinum-free catalysts promise to lower fuel-cell costs Showa Denko KK of Tokyo, Japan, has unveiled a platinum-free catalyst system for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) applications that was developed under a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) project. The niobium oxide- and titanium oxidebased catalysts are employed in both the anode and cathode portions of the PEFC and are claimed to deliver enhanced efficiency and durability performance compared with existing non-platinum catalysts. The new catalyst is produced at a cost of around Yen 500/KW ($5/KW) or less, which corresponds to around onetwentieth the production cost of existing platinum-based catalysts. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2009, 116 (9), 13
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ENVIRONMENT Environmental Solutions wins award for its diesel oxidation catalyst Environmental Solutions Worldwide Inc (Environmental Solutions) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary ESW Canada Inc received notification from the Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee (MRCT) that the company’s Xtrm Cat High Performance Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) marine/locomotive catalyst technology has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a $2 M funded grant programme. This programme is part of ‘The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ $300 M dollar Stimulus Fund directed towards the deployment of diesel emission reduction retrofit technologies. Press release from: Environmental Solutions Worldwide Inc, 132, Penn Avenue, Telford, PA 18969, USA. Tel: +1 215 721 2101. Fax: +1 215 721 2192. Website: http://www.cleanerfuture.com (19 Nov 2009)
Biothene: degradable alternative from CFN Packaging UK-based packaging firm CFN Packaging Group has developed Biothene, an additive that ensures photochemical and thermal degradation of polythene at 2-3% concentration. Biothene, which contains a catalyst as an active agent, is added to the polythene during extrusion and ensures that degradation continues even in dark environments, such as landfills. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 13 Nov 2009, 8
PATENTS Production of xylenes Xylenes are made by disproportionating aromatic hydrocarbons over zeolite UZM-14, which is a novel zeolite made by UOP based on the mordenite structure. This zeolite is only partially characterised and has not yet been included in the database of zeolite structures maintained by the Structure Commission of the International Zeolite Association. US 7,626,064, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 1 Dec 2009
Surface-stabilised gold nanocatalysts It is well known that nanoparticulate gold is a very effective catalyst for oxidising CO to CO2 at relatively low temperatures. It is commonly supported on a sub-micron titania such as Degussa’s P25. However, the catalyst is quickly deactivated at 300500°C. This patent describes several supports which minimise this deactivation. They include lanthanum phosphate, alumina-treated titania, and aluminium phosphate. US 7,629,291, UT-Battelle LLC, Oak Ridge, TN, USA, 8 Dec 2009
Plasma process for making nanoparticulate mixed oxides The main object was to make mixed oxide powders for use as supports for three-way automobile exhaust catalysts which would be stable at high temperatures. A mist of an aqueous solution of salts of the mixed metals was sprayed through a plasma at about 3000°C and the effluent gases quickly cooled. Some of the products were in the form of hollow particles, some as core-shell particles, and some were sold particles having variegated surfaces. The examples describe particles of alumina and ceria in various forms. US 7,629,553, UNM.STC, Albuquerque, NM, USA, and Toyota North America, Inc, Erlanger, KY, USA, 8 Dec 2009
Catalysts for destroying ozone in aircraft cabins The catalytic device is an anodised aluminium honeycomb treated with a washcoat containing particles of a refractory oxide containing one or more active metals such as cobalt and platinum. Washcoating has not been used before in making this type of catalyst. US 7,629,290, Honeywell International Inc, Morristown, NJ, USA, 8 Dec 2009
Improved DeNOx catalysts Catalysts for the DeNOx process, in which oxides of nitrogen are reacted with ammonia to from dinitrogen, commonly contain titanium, vanadium, and tungsten, on an anatase substrate. This patent
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Platinum-free catalysts promise to lower fuel-cell costs Showa Denko KK of Tokyo, Japan, has unveiled a platinum-free catalyst system for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) applications that was developed under a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) project. The niobium oxide- and titanium oxidebased catalysts are employed in both the anode and cathode portions of the PEFC and are claimed to deliver enhanced efficiency and durability performance compared with existing non-platinum catalysts. The new catalyst is produced at a cost of around Yen 500/KW ($5/KW) or less, which corresponds to around onetwentieth the production cost of existing platinum-based catalysts. Chemical Engineering (New York), Sep 2009, 116 (9), 13
JANUARY 2010
O N
C ATA LY S T S
ENVIRONMENT Environmental Solutions wins award for its diesel oxidation catalyst Environmental Solutions Worldwide Inc (Environmental Solutions) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary ESW Canada Inc received notification from the Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee (MRCT) that the company’s Xtrm Cat High Performance Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) marine/locomotive catalyst technology has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a $2 M funded grant programme. This programme is part of ‘The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ $300 M dollar Stimulus Fund directed towards the deployment of diesel emission reduction retrofit technologies. Press release from: Environmental Solutions Worldwide Inc, 132, Penn Avenue, Telford, PA 18969, USA. Tel: +1 215 721 2101. Fax: +1 215 721 2192. Website: http://www.cleanerfuture.com (19 Nov 2009)
Biothene: degradable alternative from CFN Packaging UK-based packaging firm CFN Packaging Group has developed Biothene, an additive that ensures photochemical and thermal degradation of polythene at 2-3% concentration. Biothene, which contains a catalyst as an active agent, is added to the polythene during extrusion and ensures that degradation continues even in dark environments, such as landfills. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 13 Nov 2009, 8
PATENTS Production of xylenes Xylenes are made by disproportionating aromatic hydrocarbons over zeolite UZM-14, which is a novel zeolite made by UOP based on the mordenite structure. This zeolite is only partially characterised and has not yet been included in the database of zeolite structures maintained by the Structure Commission of the International Zeolite Association. US 7,626,064, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 1 Dec 2009
Surface-stabilised gold nanocatalysts It is well known that nanoparticulate gold is a very effective catalyst for oxidising CO to CO2 at relatively low temperatures. It is commonly supported on a sub-micron titania such as Degussa’s P25. However, the catalyst is quickly deactivated at 300500°C. This patent describes several supports which minimise this deactivation. They include lanthanum phosphate, alumina-treated titania, and aluminium phosphate. US 7,629,291, UT-Battelle LLC, Oak Ridge, TN, USA, 8 Dec 2009
Plasma process for making nanoparticulate mixed oxides The main object was to make mixed oxide powders for use as supports for three-way automobile exhaust catalysts which would be stable at high temperatures. A mist of an aqueous solution of salts of the mixed metals was sprayed through a plasma at about 3000°C and the effluent gases quickly cooled. Some of the products were in the form of hollow particles, some as core-shell particles, and some were sold particles having variegated surfaces. The examples describe particles of alumina and ceria in various forms. US 7,629,553, UNM.STC, Albuquerque, NM, USA, and Toyota North America, Inc, Erlanger, KY, USA, 8 Dec 2009
Catalysts for destroying ozone in aircraft cabins The catalytic device is an anodised aluminium honeycomb treated with a washcoat containing particles of a refractory oxide containing one or more active metals such as cobalt and platinum. Washcoating has not been used before in making this type of catalyst. US 7,629,290, Honeywell International Inc, Morristown, NJ, USA, 8 Dec 2009
Improved DeNOx catalysts Catalysts for the DeNOx process, in which oxides of nitrogen are reacted with ammonia to from dinitrogen, commonly contain titanium, vanadium, and tungsten, on an anatase substrate. This patent
7