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Wellman sees things clearly
FOCUS lubricants will also be produced through the same process using octanol and other higher alcohols. The Hindu, 5 Jan 2007, 130 (5), 14
Wellman sees things clearly Wellman Inc has unveiled PermaClearTi, a titanium catalyst based PET material for use particularly in carbonated drinks. The new polymer exhibits lower level of acetaldehyde compared with conventional PETs. It is claimed to offer greater transparency, light weight, and improved bottle performance, allowing customers to raise filling temperatures. Preform manufacturers can also reduce cycle times by 10% through the use of PermaClearTi. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 15 Dec 2006, 9 & Plastics News, 15 Dec 2006 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com)
ENVIRONMENT AdBlue market heats up The implementation of a new Euro 4 standard to cut nitrogen oxide exhaust emissions, particularly from heavyduty vehicles, in the European Union beginning 1 Oct 2006 will boost demand for the liquid urea solution AdBlue. Consumption of the substance in Western Europe is forecast to hit 3.5 M tonne/y by 2012. Nitrogen + Syngas, Nov/Dec 2006, (284), 7
BASF nitrous oxide technology for Chinese adipic acid plant BASF is providing its nitrous oxide reduction technology for an adipic acid plant in Liaoyang, China. The plant is owned by PetroChina. Nitrous oxide is produced from nitric acid during the manufacture of adipic acid. Chemical and Engineering News, 11 Dec 2006, 84 (50), 20-21 & ICIS Chemical Business, 18 Dec 2006 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 18 Dec 2006, (364), 12 (in French) & China Chemical Reporter, 16 Dec 2006, 17 (35), 9
Clyvia Technology expands Clyvia Technology, a company based in Wegberg in the Aachen region, is developing a patent technology using
FEBRUARY 2007
ON
C ATA LY S T S
a process known as catalytic depolymerization to produce fuel from industrial waste materials such as plastics and used oil. A key issue is to maintain the burner at a constant temperature of 400°C allowing the 5% of water in used oil to evaporate. A pilot plant has now been successfully built and the company looks forward in 2007 to a successful marketing campaign in Germany and the rest of Europe, using the combined research and production facility, which will produce three to four units a month for installation elsewhere. Online facilities also allow for monitoring from the Wegberg base and diagnosing problems with the equipment. The basic idea is to recover heating oil and diesel from organic waste and to make them useable elsewhere. Meuse-Rhine Journal, 15 Dec 2006, (148) (Wadsworth & Wadsworth Assoc, PO Box 42, NL6245 ZG, Eijsden, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 43 4093719. Fax: +31 43 4098899. Website: http://www.meuse-rhine-journal.com)
Fuel combustion catalyst test results Biofriendly’s Green Plus liquid fuel combustion catalyst has undergone a combustion efficiency test conducted by Singapore’s UM2 Performance Testing. The test, carried out on a gasoline-powered Toyota automobile, obtained a 5.13% rise in brake horsepower and a 4.84% torque when the vehicle ran with a wide-open throttle. However, an increase of 13.25% in brake horsepower and 10.48% in torque were attained at a steady level of 2080 rpm. The catalyst is said to enhance fuel economy and reduce harmful emissions. Petroleum Review, Dec 2006, 60 (719), 8 (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)
Technology removes all contaminants from waste water A technology that eliminates all contaminants from waste water discharged from oil rigs or industrial plants has been developed by UVPS Environmental Solutions. The Advanced Water Treatment System (AWTS) is a patented technology that can address the problem of removing contaminants such as hydrocarbons, synthetic based fluids, waste processing chemicals, hydrocarbon
and chemical spills, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and nitrogen oxides. The destruction and removal of an array of dissolved chemicals, pesticides, micro-organisms and other toxins are accomplished with the use of an activated catalyst in the presence of ultraviolet light. Paint and Resin Times, Dec 2006, (5), 10
PATENTS Methanol from waste methane Economic on a small scale because the capital cost is low because high pressure is not needed, and inert gases need not be removed. Partial oxidation in the presence of molten phthalic anhydride gives monomethyl phthalate, which is thermally decomposed to methanol and phthalic anhydride. Wacker catalysts are used. US 7,161,048, Rinnovi LLC, St Louis, MO, US, 9 Jan 2007
Oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid The process is heterogeneously catalysed in a two-stage reactor, the catalyst being a mixed oxide of Mo, Fe and Bi. The novel feature is that the activity of the second stage is continuously varied by controlled dilution of the catalyst with inactive particles of a similar size. US 7,164,039, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, 16 Jan 2007
Catalytic gas-phase oxidation reactors These reactors are generally similar to those described in the preceding abstract, but are designed to prevent the development of hot spots. There are at least two zones, and the catalyst is mixed with inert particles. US 7,161,044, Nippon Shokbai Co Ltd, Osaka, Japan, 9 Jan 2007
Stabilised supports for Fischer Tropsch catalysts Aluminas are commonly used to support F-T catalysts, typically cobalt or iron, but the presence of water vapour in the reaction tends to promote physical changes in the alumina. This is minimised by treating
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Wellman sees things clearly Wellman Inc has unveiled PermaClearTi, a titanium catalyst based PET material for use particularly in carbonated drinks. The new polymer exhibits lower level of acetaldehyde compared with conventional PETs. It is claimed to offer greater transparency, light weight, and improved bottle performance, allowing customers to raise filling temperatures. Preform manufacturers can also reduce cycle times by 10% through the use of PermaClearTi. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 15 Dec 2006, 9 & Plastics News, 15 Dec 2006 (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com)
ENVIRONMENT AdBlue market heats up The implementation of a new Euro 4 standard to cut nitrogen oxide exhaust emissions, particularly from heavyduty vehicles, in the European Union beginning 1 Oct 2006 will boost demand for the liquid urea solution AdBlue. Consumption of the substance in Western Europe is forecast to hit 3.5 M tonne/y by 2012. Nitrogen + Syngas, Nov/Dec 2006, (284), 7
BASF nitrous oxide technology for Chinese adipic acid plant BASF is providing its nitrous oxide reduction technology for an adipic acid plant in Liaoyang, China. The plant is owned by PetroChina. Nitrous oxide is produced from nitric acid during the manufacture of adipic acid. Chemical and Engineering News, 11 Dec 2006, 84 (50), 20-21 & ICIS Chemical Business, 18 Dec 2006 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 18 Dec 2006, (364), 12 (in French) & China Chemical Reporter, 16 Dec 2006, 17 (35), 9
Clyvia Technology expands Clyvia Technology, a company based in Wegberg in the Aachen region, is developing a patent technology using
FEBRUARY 2007
ON
C ATA LY S T S
a process known as catalytic depolymerization to produce fuel from industrial waste materials such as plastics and used oil. A key issue is to maintain the burner at a constant temperature of 400°C allowing the 5% of water in used oil to evaporate. A pilot plant has now been successfully built and the company looks forward in 2007 to a successful marketing campaign in Germany and the rest of Europe, using the combined research and production facility, which will produce three to four units a month for installation elsewhere. Online facilities also allow for monitoring from the Wegberg base and diagnosing problems with the equipment. The basic idea is to recover heating oil and diesel from organic waste and to make them useable elsewhere. Meuse-Rhine Journal, 15 Dec 2006, (148) (Wadsworth & Wadsworth Assoc, PO Box 42, NL6245 ZG, Eijsden, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 43 4093719. Fax: +31 43 4098899. Website: http://www.meuse-rhine-journal.com)
Fuel combustion catalyst test results Biofriendly’s Green Plus liquid fuel combustion catalyst has undergone a combustion efficiency test conducted by Singapore’s UM2 Performance Testing. The test, carried out on a gasoline-powered Toyota automobile, obtained a 5.13% rise in brake horsepower and a 4.84% torque when the vehicle ran with a wide-open throttle. However, an increase of 13.25% in brake horsepower and 10.48% in torque were attained at a steady level of 2080 rpm. The catalyst is said to enhance fuel economy and reduce harmful emissions. Petroleum Review, Dec 2006, 60 (719), 8 (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)
Technology removes all contaminants from waste water A technology that eliminates all contaminants from waste water discharged from oil rigs or industrial plants has been developed by UVPS Environmental Solutions. The Advanced Water Treatment System (AWTS) is a patented technology that can address the problem of removing contaminants such as hydrocarbons, synthetic based fluids, waste processing chemicals, hydrocarbon
and chemical spills, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and nitrogen oxides. The destruction and removal of an array of dissolved chemicals, pesticides, micro-organisms and other toxins are accomplished with the use of an activated catalyst in the presence of ultraviolet light. Paint and Resin Times, Dec 2006, (5), 10
PATENTS Methanol from waste methane Economic on a small scale because the capital cost is low because high pressure is not needed, and inert gases need not be removed. Partial oxidation in the presence of molten phthalic anhydride gives monomethyl phthalate, which is thermally decomposed to methanol and phthalic anhydride. Wacker catalysts are used. US 7,161,048, Rinnovi LLC, St Louis, MO, US, 9 Jan 2007
Oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid The process is heterogeneously catalysed in a two-stage reactor, the catalyst being a mixed oxide of Mo, Fe and Bi. The novel feature is that the activity of the second stage is continuously varied by controlled dilution of the catalyst with inactive particles of a similar size. US 7,164,039, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, 16 Jan 2007
Catalytic gas-phase oxidation reactors These reactors are generally similar to those described in the preceding abstract, but are designed to prevent the development of hot spots. There are at least two zones, and the catalyst is mixed with inert particles. US 7,161,044, Nippon Shokbai Co Ltd, Osaka, Japan, 9 Jan 2007
Stabilised supports for Fischer Tropsch catalysts Aluminas are commonly used to support F-T catalysts, typically cobalt or iron, but the presence of water vapour in the reaction tends to promote physical changes in the alumina. This is minimised by treating
7