Less is more: novel cellulose structure requires fewer enzymes to process biomass to fuel

Iron catalyst for Fischer-Tropschsynthesis

Commissioned by Total Gas & Powerin 2009, researchers in TheNetherlands have developed a novel,lower cost catalyst for Fischer-Tropschsynthesis (FTS), which has been usedin producing clean synthetic fuel fromnatural gas, biomass or coal. Theresearchers were able to produce anexceptional FTS catalyst based onmethods of magnetic tape productionin the 1960s, which used cigar-shaped cobalt-doped iron oxideparticles. A conventional FTS usesexpensive cobalt catalysts for theproduction of diesel and gasoline, butthe new catalyst consists of an 8 nmdiameter spherical iron core withcobalt oxide shell of 1 nm thickness.The new catalyst produces significantdiesel fractions and is efficient up to400°C. Although the performance ofthe catalyst at manufacturing scalemay vary from that in a laboratorysetup, improvements can be madeduring the commercialization process.

Original Source: Chemistry and Industry (London),Apr 2013, 77 (4), 13 (Website: http://www.soci.org/)© Society of Chemical Industry 2013

Siemens Metals, LanzaTech partner todevelop low carbon bio-ethanol

Siemens Metals Technologies andLanzaTech have entered a ten-yearco-operation agreement to developand market environmental solutionsthat convert waste industrial gasesinto low carbon bio-ethanol. Thefermentation technology of LanzaTechwill be used to transform carbon-richoff-gases generated by the steelindustry into low carbon fuel and otherplatform chemicals. At present, theglobal market for ethanol is expectedto touch 80 M tonne/y, of which 75 Mtonnes is used as biofuel.

Original Source: CTBR Clean Technology BusinessReview, 20 Jun 2013, (Website:http://www.cleantechnology-business-review.com/) © CTBR 2013. Original Source: LanzaTech, 2013.Found on SpecialChem Adhesives and SealantsFormulation, 21 Jun 2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4adhesives.com). OriginalSource: LanzaTech, 2013. Found on SpecialChemPlastics and Elastomers Formulation, 25 Jun 2013,(Website: http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)

A noble catalyst

Empa scientists at the internalCombustion Engines Laboratory inGermany are developing Foamcat, an

economical catalytic substrate basedon ceramic foam. The material’ssponge-like structure allows it to bemore efficient and cheaper asopposed to monolithic design as it ishalf the length and enables the gas topass through it and flow in a moreevenly distributed manner. Thematerial is being developed in view ofthe impending implementation of Euro6 standard, which could lead to moreexpensive catalytic converters fordiesel vehicles.

Original Source: Materials World, 15 Jun 2013, 21 (6),17 (Website: http://www.iom3.org/) © The Institute ofMaterials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) 2013

Less is more: novel cellulose structurerequires fewer enzymes to processbiomass to fuel

Improved methods for breaking downcellulose nanofibres are central tocost-effective biofuel production andthe subject of new research from LosAlamos National Laboratory (LANL)and the Great Lakes BioenergyResearch Center (GLBRC). Scientistsare investigating the unique propertiesof crystalline cellulose nanofibres todevelop novel chemical pretreatmentsand designer enzymes for biofuelproduction from cellulosic-or non-food-plant derived biomass.

Original Source: Nanotechnology Now, 19 Jun 2013,(Website: http://www.nanotech-now.com/) © 7thWaveInc 2013

Lanxess completes productioncampaign of bio-based PBT usingGenomatica’s BDO process technology

Lanxess and Genomatica announcethat Lanxess has run a productioncampaign of bio-based PBT inLanxess’ world-scale production plantusing 20 tonnes of bio-based BDOmade with Genomatica’scommercially proven process. ThisBDO fully complied with thedemanding Lanxess specifications forpetro-based BDO allowing a directfeed of 100% bio-based BDO into thecontinuous production process. Theproperties and the quality of theresulting bio-based PBT are fullyequivalent to conventional petro-based PBT with regard to all testedparameters. The world-scale PBTplant, with a capacity of 80,000 ton/y,is located in Hamm-Uentrop,Germany and operated as a jv in

which Lanxess has a share of 50%.Genomatica’s BDO processtechnology converts sugars (arenewable feedstock) into the majorchemical BDO in a patented, ‘direct’fermentation process.

Original Source: Lanxess AG, 51369 Leverkusen,Germany, tel: 21430 33333, website:http://www.lanxess.com (25 Jun 2013) © Lanxess2013. Original Source: Genomatica, 2013. Found onSpecialChem Plastics and Elastomers Formulation, 28 Jun 2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4polymers.com)

PATENTSEpoxidation using twin catalyst system

The first catalyst generates a peroxideby the oxidation of CO with O2 in thepresence of an organic solvent. Thesecond catalyst catalyses theepoxidation of the alkene with thisperoxide. A composite catalystcontains gold supported on titania forthe first reaction, and titanium silicalitefor the second.

US 8,481,766, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL,USA, 9 Jul 2013

Capture of V and W following SCR

Selective catalytic reduction of nitrogenoxides, using ammonia or urea as thereductant, is an established processwidely used in combustion engines.Tungsten and vanadium oxidessupported on titania is a commonlyused catalyst. However, the toxicity ofthe vanadium and tungsten in theescaping gases is of concern. Thispatent describes adsorbents fortrapping these metals. Silica-stabilisedanatase is a suitable adsorbent.

US 8,481,453. Millenium Inorganic Chemicals Inc,Hunt Valley, MD, USA, 9 Jul 2013

Nano-particulate bismuth molybdatecatalyst

Bismuth molybdate is commonly usedas a catalyst for the ammoxidation ofpropylene to acrylonitrile. A nano-sized particulate version of thiscatalyst is made by the vapour-phaseoxidation of a suspension of the rawmaterials in a pulsating reactor. Thenano-sized product has improvedactivity and selectivity.

US 8,480,998, Süd-Chemie IP GmbH & Co, München,Germany, 9 Jul 3013

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