- Email: [email protected]
Synthesis of EUROTS-1, a ‘standard’ titanium silicalite catalyst
FOCUS within a year. The catalyst can already be supplied in commercial quantities. Chemical Engineering World, Nov 2004, 39 (11), 37 & Chemische Rundschau, 23 Nov 2004, 57 (11), 56 (in German)
ENVIRONMENT Heavy metals out Engelhard has developed a new technology that will allow pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturers to cost-effectively bring purer chemical compounds to market faster. Engelhard Metals Scavenging Agents allow producers to remove a range of metals under severe process conditions more economically than normal separation techniques such as recrystallisation and distillation. European Chemical News, 20 Dec 2004, 81 (2128), 28
Fuel additives get green light Envirox, a nanotechnology-supported fuel additive from Oxonica, has been taken up by Stagecoach Group, operator of a 7000-bus fleet in the UK. The basis of Envirox is an oxidation catalyst widely used in catalytic converters. This has been reengineered using Oxonica’s own nanotechnology expertise to allow it to be delivered as a fuel-borne catalyst. Stagecoach’s trials demonstrated that the additive gives a 5% reduction in fuel consumption and lower vehicle emissions. Oxonica is a spin-off from the University of Oxford. Chemical and Engineering News, 13 Dec 2004, 82 (50), 12-13 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Clean Diesel Technologies reports reduced emissions Clean Diesel Technologies Inc announced tests results showing its Cleaner Burning Biodiesel fuel blends used with the Platinum Plus fuel borne catalyst (FBC) and a lightly catalysed diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) produced emission reductions of 51% particulates (PM) and 9% NOx versus baseline emissions from standard No 2D fuel. The testing of Clean Diesel Technologies’ biodiesel fuel blends was completed at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. Press release from: Clean Diesel Technologies Inc, 300, Atlantic Street, Suite 702, Stamford, CT 06901,
FEBRUARY 2005
ON
C ATA LY S T S
USA. Tel: +1 203 327 7050. Fax: +1 203 323 0461. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.cdti.com (21 Dec 2004)
and irradiated with UV radiation, will inactivate the SARS virus. Japan Chemical News, 23 Dec 2004, 45 (2299), 1
OMV opens AdBlue petrol station in Czech Republic OMV (Austria) opened the first AdBlue petrol station in Zesov near Prostejov, Czech Republic, in late Nov 2004. AdBlue is clear solution of urea in water. This service station makes the Czech Republic the third country in Europe to be able to offer this product to motorists. AdBlue contributes to the reduction of lorry emissions. It is used in a newlydeveloped selective catalytic reduction technology, within which the catalytic converter, in combination with AdBlue, reduces all harmful substances at the same time. The ceramic catalytic converter in combination with AdBlue changes nitrogen oxides into neutral nitrogen and water. AdBlue is a non-toxic and easy to handle chemical. Apart from being environment-friendlier, it also reduces fuel consumption by up to 7%. Technicky Tydenik, 21 Dec 2004, 52 (26), 46 (in Czech)
New catalysts break down toxic pesticides A means of breaking down organophosphorus pesticides has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University scientists. Tests on four organophosphorus pesticides have shown complete breakdown of the pesticide and their by-products. More than 80 patents have been acquired for tetra-amido macrocycle ligands (TAML). Known as Fe-TAML these ligands in conjunction with hydrogen peroxides can be used at concentrations of 1-10 ppm on fields after harvest to reduce pesticide pollution entering groundwater and streams. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 22 Nov 2004, 33 (5), 17
Titania photocatalyst inactivates SARS virus A joint research project between Noritake Co and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University has shown that titania, deposited on a glass plate by the company’s proprietary method,
PATENTS Regeneration of F-T catalysts Fisher-Tropsch catalysts, being inexpensive and composed mainly of iron oxide, are not usually regenerated when spent but are dumped. However, environmental and economic pressures are now requiring their regeneration. This patent describes a catalyst de-waxing process followed by controlled oxidation to restore its original activity. US 6,838,487, Rentech Inc, Denver, CO, USA, 4 Jan 2005
Desulfurization of crude oil Oil refineries usually separate crude oil into several fractions and then desulfurize them separately. Capital savings can be made if most of the sulfur is removed from the crude oil before it is fractionated. This patent describes the preferred sequence of operations for this option. US 6,841,062, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 11 Jan 2005
Improved hydrofluorination catalysts Chromic oxide is commonly used as a hydrofluorination catalyst. The various methods of making this catalyst involve the use of ammonium hydroxide or ammonia. It has now been found that the presence of residual ammonium compounds reduces the activities of these catalysts. US 6,841,7006, Solvay AS, Belgium, 11 Jan 2005
Synthesis of EUROTS-1, a ‘standard’ titanium silicalite catalyst Titanium silicalite, used as an epoxidation catalyst, is made from tetraethyl silicate, tetraethyl titanate, and tetrapropyl ammonium hydroxide. A standard synthesis procedure was published in 1993 whose product is an international standard known as EUROTS-1. A refinement of this process has now been published and yields an improved product. The ratios of the concentrations of the starting
7
FOCUS materials and the water content are specified in narrower ranges.
Improved Hock-Lang process The Hock-Lang process is operated on a large scale for the manufacture of phenol and acetone. A variation of this process is now described in which the acetone is recycled. The catalyst is zeolite beta having a specified silica/alumina ratio.
EVENTS
C ATA LY S T S
BOOKSHELF
US 6,841,144, Degussa AG, Düsseldorf, Germany, 11 Jan 2005
US 6,841,704, Ineos Phenol GmbH, Gladbeck, Germany, 11 Jan 2005
ON
Proceedings of the 14th Annual SaudiJapanese symposium on catalysts in refining and petrochemicals The meeting was held from 5-6 Dec 2004, organised by the KFUPMResearch Institute and the Japan Petroleum Institute. Papers were presented from Saudi Arabia, Japan, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, and USA. Of particular interest was a revue of syngas production by thermo-neutral reforming, developed
by Professor Tomoyuki Inui and his colleagues at Kyoto University. Available from: Dr A M Aitani, Center for Refining and Petrochemicals, KFUPM-Research Institute, Dharan 31261, Saudi Arabia. Fax: +966 (0)3 860 4509
Modern oxidation methods Methods used in organic synthesis. A multi-authored international monograph with contributions from 6 countries. J-E Bäckvall (ed), 2004, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, ISBN 3-527-30642-0, 336 pp, £100
9-10 March 2005
6th International Downstream Technology Conference & Exhibition (formerly the European Catalyst Technology Conference, ECTC) Geneva, Switzerland EPC Conferences, 44 Oxford Drive, Bermondsey Street, London SE1 2FB, UK Tel: +44 207 357 8394 Website: http://www.EuroPetro.com
9-11 May 2005
Hydrogenation Technology : a 3-day intensive course Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Center for Professional Advancement, Oudezijds Vooburgwal 316A, 1012 GM Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 638 2806. Fax: +31 20 620 2136 Website: http://www.cfpa.com
Focus on Catalysts (ISSN 1351-4180) is published monthly by Elsevier Advanced Technology, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK. 2005 annual subscription rate: US$895/€799 (in Europe)/¥106,200 (in Japan), additional copies to the same address US$298/€266/¥35,400 Material published in Focus on Catalysts includes abstracts sourced from Chemical Business NewsBase (CBNB) (E-mail: [email protected]) CBNB is available as part of a subscription to Ei’s ChemVillage discovery platform. Visit our website for more details: http://www.chemvillage.org Orders and enquiries International Sales Department, Elsevier Advanced Technology, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 843687. Fax: +44 (0) 1865 843971. E-mail: [email protected] For US orders Elsevier Journals Customer Service, 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800, USA. US Customers Tel: +1 (877) 839 7126. Fax: +1 (407) 363 1354. Customers outside US Tel: +1 (407) 345 4020. Fax: +1 (407) 363 1354 Other Locations Elsevier Customer Support Department, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 3853757. Fax: +31 20 4853432. E-mail: [email protected]
Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Rights & Permissions Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 843830. Fax: +44 (0) 1865 853333. E-mail: [email protected]. You may also contact Rights & Permissions directly through Elsevier’s home page (http://www.elsevier.com), by selecting ‘Support and Contact’, then ‘Copyright and Permission’. Derivative Works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Contact the publisher at the address indicated. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Typeset by Land & Unwin, Bugbrooke Printed by Mayfield Press (Oxford) © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
ENVIRONMENT Heavy metals out Engelhard has developed a new technology that will allow pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturers to cost-effectively bring purer chemical compounds to market faster. Engelhard Metals Scavenging Agents allow producers to remove a range of metals under severe process conditions more economically than normal separation techniques such as recrystallisation and distillation. European Chemical News, 20 Dec 2004, 81 (2128), 28
Fuel additives get green light Envirox, a nanotechnology-supported fuel additive from Oxonica, has been taken up by Stagecoach Group, operator of a 7000-bus fleet in the UK. The basis of Envirox is an oxidation catalyst widely used in catalytic converters. This has been reengineered using Oxonica’s own nanotechnology expertise to allow it to be delivered as a fuel-borne catalyst. Stagecoach’s trials demonstrated that the additive gives a 5% reduction in fuel consumption and lower vehicle emissions. Oxonica is a spin-off from the University of Oxford. Chemical and Engineering News, 13 Dec 2004, 82 (50), 12-13 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Clean Diesel Technologies reports reduced emissions Clean Diesel Technologies Inc announced tests results showing its Cleaner Burning Biodiesel fuel blends used with the Platinum Plus fuel borne catalyst (FBC) and a lightly catalysed diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) produced emission reductions of 51% particulates (PM) and 9% NOx versus baseline emissions from standard No 2D fuel. The testing of Clean Diesel Technologies’ biodiesel fuel blends was completed at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. Press release from: Clean Diesel Technologies Inc, 300, Atlantic Street, Suite 702, Stamford, CT 06901,
FEBRUARY 2005
ON
C ATA LY S T S
USA. Tel: +1 203 327 7050. Fax: +1 203 323 0461. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.cdti.com (21 Dec 2004)
and irradiated with UV radiation, will inactivate the SARS virus. Japan Chemical News, 23 Dec 2004, 45 (2299), 1
OMV opens AdBlue petrol station in Czech Republic OMV (Austria) opened the first AdBlue petrol station in Zesov near Prostejov, Czech Republic, in late Nov 2004. AdBlue is clear solution of urea in water. This service station makes the Czech Republic the third country in Europe to be able to offer this product to motorists. AdBlue contributes to the reduction of lorry emissions. It is used in a newlydeveloped selective catalytic reduction technology, within which the catalytic converter, in combination with AdBlue, reduces all harmful substances at the same time. The ceramic catalytic converter in combination with AdBlue changes nitrogen oxides into neutral nitrogen and water. AdBlue is a non-toxic and easy to handle chemical. Apart from being environment-friendlier, it also reduces fuel consumption by up to 7%. Technicky Tydenik, 21 Dec 2004, 52 (26), 46 (in Czech)
New catalysts break down toxic pesticides A means of breaking down organophosphorus pesticides has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University scientists. Tests on four organophosphorus pesticides have shown complete breakdown of the pesticide and their by-products. More than 80 patents have been acquired for tetra-amido macrocycle ligands (TAML). Known as Fe-TAML these ligands in conjunction with hydrogen peroxides can be used at concentrations of 1-10 ppm on fields after harvest to reduce pesticide pollution entering groundwater and streams. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 22 Nov 2004, 33 (5), 17
Titania photocatalyst inactivates SARS virus A joint research project between Noritake Co and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University has shown that titania, deposited on a glass plate by the company’s proprietary method,
PATENTS Regeneration of F-T catalysts Fisher-Tropsch catalysts, being inexpensive and composed mainly of iron oxide, are not usually regenerated when spent but are dumped. However, environmental and economic pressures are now requiring their regeneration. This patent describes a catalyst de-waxing process followed by controlled oxidation to restore its original activity. US 6,838,487, Rentech Inc, Denver, CO, USA, 4 Jan 2005
Desulfurization of crude oil Oil refineries usually separate crude oil into several fractions and then desulfurize them separately. Capital savings can be made if most of the sulfur is removed from the crude oil before it is fractionated. This patent describes the preferred sequence of operations for this option. US 6,841,062, Chevron USA Inc, San Ramon, CA, USA, 11 Jan 2005
Improved hydrofluorination catalysts Chromic oxide is commonly used as a hydrofluorination catalyst. The various methods of making this catalyst involve the use of ammonium hydroxide or ammonia. It has now been found that the presence of residual ammonium compounds reduces the activities of these catalysts. US 6,841,7006, Solvay AS, Belgium, 11 Jan 2005
Synthesis of EUROTS-1, a ‘standard’ titanium silicalite catalyst Titanium silicalite, used as an epoxidation catalyst, is made from tetraethyl silicate, tetraethyl titanate, and tetrapropyl ammonium hydroxide. A standard synthesis procedure was published in 1993 whose product is an international standard known as EUROTS-1. A refinement of this process has now been published and yields an improved product. The ratios of the concentrations of the starting
7
FOCUS materials and the water content are specified in narrower ranges.
Improved Hock-Lang process The Hock-Lang process is operated on a large scale for the manufacture of phenol and acetone. A variation of this process is now described in which the acetone is recycled. The catalyst is zeolite beta having a specified silica/alumina ratio.
EVENTS
C ATA LY S T S
BOOKSHELF
US 6,841,144, Degussa AG, Düsseldorf, Germany, 11 Jan 2005
US 6,841,704, Ineos Phenol GmbH, Gladbeck, Germany, 11 Jan 2005
ON
Proceedings of the 14th Annual SaudiJapanese symposium on catalysts in refining and petrochemicals The meeting was held from 5-6 Dec 2004, organised by the KFUPMResearch Institute and the Japan Petroleum Institute. Papers were presented from Saudi Arabia, Japan, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, and USA. Of particular interest was a revue of syngas production by thermo-neutral reforming, developed
by Professor Tomoyuki Inui and his colleagues at Kyoto University. Available from: Dr A M Aitani, Center for Refining and Petrochemicals, KFUPM-Research Institute, Dharan 31261, Saudi Arabia. Fax: +966 (0)3 860 4509
Modern oxidation methods Methods used in organic synthesis. A multi-authored international monograph with contributions from 6 countries. J-E Bäckvall (ed), 2004, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, ISBN 3-527-30642-0, 336 pp, £100
9-10 March 2005
6th International Downstream Technology Conference & Exhibition (formerly the European Catalyst Technology Conference, ECTC) Geneva, Switzerland EPC Conferences, 44 Oxford Drive, Bermondsey Street, London SE1 2FB, UK Tel: +44 207 357 8394 Website: http://www.EuroPetro.com
9-11 May 2005
Hydrogenation Technology : a 3-day intensive course Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Center for Professional Advancement, Oudezijds Vooburgwal 316A, 1012 GM Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 638 2806. Fax: +31 20 620 2136 Website: http://www.cfpa.com
Focus on Catalysts (ISSN 1351-4180) is published monthly by Elsevier Advanced Technology, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK. 2005 annual subscription rate: US$895/€799 (in Europe)/¥106,200 (in Japan), additional copies to the same address US$298/€266/¥35,400 Material published in Focus on Catalysts includes abstracts sourced from Chemical Business NewsBase (CBNB) (E-mail: [email protected]) CBNB is available as part of a subscription to Ei’s ChemVillage discovery platform. Visit our website for more details: http://www.chemvillage.org Orders and enquiries International Sales Department, Elsevier Advanced Technology, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 843687. Fax: +44 (0) 1865 843971. E-mail: [email protected] For US orders Elsevier Journals Customer Service, 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800, USA. US Customers Tel: +1 (877) 839 7126. Fax: +1 (407) 363 1354. Customers outside US Tel: +1 (407) 345 4020. Fax: +1 (407) 363 1354 Other Locations Elsevier Customer Support Department, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 3853757. Fax: +31 20 4853432. E-mail: [email protected]
Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Rights & Permissions Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 843830. Fax: +44 (0) 1865 853333. E-mail: [email protected]. You may also contact Rights & Permissions directly through Elsevier’s home page (http://www.elsevier.com), by selecting ‘Support and Contact’, then ‘Copyright and Permission’. Derivative Works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Contact the publisher at the address indicated. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Typeset by Land & Unwin, Bugbrooke Printed by Mayfield Press (Oxford) © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved