New technology for coal-based MEG

Via collaboration with Shanghai JinmeiChemical New Technology Co Ltd, theFujian Institute of Research on theStructures of Matter (Chinese Academyof Science) has devised a new processfor making monoethylene glycol (MEG)from coal. A 200,000 tonne/y MEGplant based on the technology, togetherwith a catalyst preparation plant, isbeing built in the Tongliao Economicand Technological Development Zoneof Inner Mongolia, with startupscheduled for 4Q 2008. Newlydeveloped catalyst technology, whichhas been awarded Chinese patents,enables industrial-grade carbonmonoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen,oxygen, and alcohol to be used as rawmaterials in a process that features lowproduction costs. The process isparticularly suitable for use in InnerMongolia, which has large brown coalreserves.

China Chemical Reporter, 26 Nov 2007, 18 (33), 15

New catalyst technology for biodieselproduction

In the US, under the PennsylvaniaDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection’s Alternative FuelsIncentive Grant Program, Rohm &Haas has received a grant of$752,000 to develop its AmberlystBD20 polymeric catalyst technology.The catalyst has applications inproducing good quality biodiesel usinglow-quality feedstock.

China Chemical Reporter, 16 Nov 2007, 18 (32), 15

New research seeks to develop low-cost ethanol

Researchers at RTI International,North Carolina State University, andthe University of Utah are seeking toscale up proven laboratory technologythat they believe will produce low-costethanol fuel through the gasification ofbiomass and other organic wasteproducts. The project, funded by a $2M cost-shared contract with the USDepartment of Energy, seeks todevelop non-food-based ethanol thatcosts less than $1.10/gal producedfrom lignocellulosic biomassfeedstocks.

BT Catalyst, 13 Dec 2007 (North CarolinaBiotechnology Center, USA. Website:http://www.ncbiotech.org)

Technology for making polyether polyols

In China, Sinopec GaoqiaoPetrochemical Co Ltd and theResearch Institute of SinopecShanghai Petrochemical Co Ltd havedeveloped a new continuous processfor polyether polyol production. Thetechnology, based on a DMC catalyst,has lower energy consumption andhigh production efficiency.

China Chemical Reporter, 16 Dec 2007, 18 (35), 14

Technology for higher propylene yield

Technology that enables higherpropylene yields from catalytic crackingof heavy oils has been successfullydemonstrated in pilot tests at the ChinaPetroleum University. The technology isbeing used by CNPC Daqing Refiningand Chemical Co Ltd to processatmospheric residue in a 120,000tonne/y commercial-scale pilot plant.Compared with conventional yields ofonly 3-5%, the propylene has beenincreased to over 18% beforereprocessing of any C4 blends. Yieldsof LPG, gasoline, and diesel of almost83% are also achievable. Thetechnology could form a keycomponent of integratedrefining/chemical complexes.

China Chemical Reporter, 6 Dec 2007, 18 (34), 13

Latest developments in sulfuric acidcatalysts

Processors’ requirements for higherproduction and/or lower sulfur dioxideproduction in sulfuric acid plantoperations are leading to thedevelopment of new sulfuric acidcatalysts with far superior capabilitiesthan the conventional potassium-promoted sulfuric acid catalyst, whichis near its practical limit in improvingproduction rates and air quality.Among the new catalysts are MECS’s‘Super Cesium’ catalyst (SCX-2000);and two caesium-promoted catalystsfrom Haldor Topsoe.

Sulphur, Nov/Dec 2007, (313), 40-42

PATENTSInexpensive catalysts for PEMFCs

An inexpensive catalyst (containingno precious metals) for proton

exchange membrane fuel cells ismade by calcining a mixture offerrocene with a carbonaceousprecursor such as polyfurfuryl alcohol.

US 7,320,842, Sanyo Electric Co Ltd, Moriguchi,Japan, 22 Jan 2008

p-Xylene synthesis

A process for methylating toluene withmethanol, using a very short contacttime over a modified ZSM-5 zeolitecatalyst. The zeolite is modified withMg or B or both.

US 7,321,072, Johnson Matthey PLC, London, UK, 22Jan 2008

Improved epoxidation process

The epoxidation of olefins by oxygenover silver-containing catalysts is wellestablished. The productivity of thisprocess is improved if 0.2 mole (ormore) of water is added to the olefin.

US 7,319,156, Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd, Osaka,Japan, 15 Jan 2008

Layered particles of zeotypes

There are several advantages inapplying catalytic materials in the formof layers over inert particles or cores.In this example, the catalytic materialis a “MeALPO” used for varioushydrocarbon conversion processes.The core can be of alumina, silica,alumina-silica, or other inert inorganicmaterials.

US 7,320,782, UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL, USA, 22 Jan2008

Removal of alkyne impurities fromalkenes

The performance of olefinpolymerisation catalysts is degraded ifalkynes are present in the olefins.These alkynes can be removed if thealkene is first passed over a copper-zinc catalyst at 70-110°C.

US 7,314,965, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, 1Jan 2008

Alkylation processes

Alkylation as practised in thepetrochemical industry involvescombining an olefin with an isoalkaneunder the influence of an acidcatalyst. Two separate improvementsare described here. In the first, the

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