Melamin GmbH is said to cut nitrogenoxide emissions from diesel enginesin commercial vehicles. The ureasolution is injected into a specialexhaust system catalyst. The nitrogenoxides are converted to nitrogen andwater. OMV hopes to implement thetechnology by 2005, when stricterexhaust standards come into force inEurope.

Handelsblatt Wirtschafts- und Finanzzeitung, 3 Apr2003, 14 (66), 20 (in German)

Toshiba unveils photocatalyst

A new titanium dioxide photocatalystfor painting and surface materials hasbeen developed by Toshiba Ceramics.This is five times more active thanconventional photocatalysts. Amedium sized production plant is tobe built by Toshiba Ceramics.

Chemical Market Reporter, 28 Apr 2003 (Website:http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

JR Tokai rolls into photocatalyticmaterials business

Central Japan Railway Co (JR Tokai)has started working with a group atTokai University to carry out researchinto high-performance photocatalyticmaterials for automotive and buildingmaterial applications. The partnersaim to develop materials which willremove odours from inside smokingcars in trains, and remove dirt fromthe surfaces of the cars. Thecompany plans to develop, produce,and sell the materials.

Nikkei Net, 23 Apr 2003 (Website:http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/)

New paint helps fight sick-housesyndrome

On 1 May 2003, Plaza of Legacy Cowill launch a new paint which isclaimed to combat the causes of sick-house syndrome. The paint is chieflymade from titanium dioxide, which isknown to break down formaldehydeand other toxic chemicals. Thetitanium dioxide is coated with apatiteto enhance its catalyst function. Testshave shown that the paint reducedformaldehyde in the air to 0.015 ppmfrom 0.041 ppm forty days after it wasapplied. The company is aiming forsales in the first year of Yen 700 M.

Nikkei Net, 25 Apr 2003 (Website:http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/)

Photochemical process destroys toxicorganics in wastewater

Prosys GmbH, Bremen, is developinga photo-catalysed process fordestroying toxic wastes such aschlorinated organics and organotins inwater. The catalyst is a chlorophyll-like dye adsorbed on a sphericalparticulate carrier. The dye absorbsvisible light and transfers the energyto the dissolved oxygen in the water.

Chemical Engineering, Apr 2003, 110 (4), 15

PATENTSGelatinous aluminoxanes

Aluminoxanes, used as co-catalystsfor metallocene olefin polymerizationcatalysts, are more active if they arefirst partially hydrolysed to form gels.

US 6,529,991, 13 May 2003, Albermarle Corp,Richmond, VA, USA

One-pot synthesis of metal bis(imine)complexes

Metal bis(imine) catalysts, especiallythose based on iron or cobalt, areuseful olefin polymerization catalysts.The catalysts can be made by mixingall the starting materials for makingthe bis(imine) with a metal salt in aflask containing an interior filter. Thisgives a better yield of the catalystthan the usual two-pot process inwhich the bis(imine) is made in aseparate step.

US 6,562,973, 13 May 2003, Equistar Chemicals LP,Houston, TX, USA

Continuous vapour-phase synthesis ofacryllic acid from acrolein

The catalyst is a complex mixed oxidecontaining Mo, V, W, Cu, and an alkalimetal. The activity of the catalyst iscontrolled by varying the alkalicontent. The linear, fixed bed isdivided into sections packed withcatalysts of varying activity, the leastactive coming first. This catalystdistribution permits more accuratecontrol of the temperature along thereactor, thus eliminating hot spots,preventing catalyst deterioration, andimproving productivity.

US 6,593,000, 13 May 2003, Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd,Osaka, Japan

Dual catalyst bed for methanoloxidation

The purpose is to make formaldehydeby oxidising methanol. The first bedcontains a vanadia/titania catalyst, thesecond a molybdena/titania catalyst.Splitting the process in this wayreduces the amount of CO formedand prevents the volatilisation of themoybdena.

US 6,559,345, 6 May 2003, Lehigh University,Bethlehem, PA, USA

Epoxidation catalysts

A process for epoxidizing olefinshaving 3 or more carbon atoms. Thecatalyst is a supported catalystcontaining Ag, Ti, optionally Au. Thesupport can be an inert materialcontaining Ti. Both hydrogen andoxygen gases must be present.

US 6,692,986, 13 May 2003, Dow Global TechnologiesInc, Midland, MI, USA

Polyethylenes suitable for electricalequipment

The electrical properties of polyolefinscan be improved if the anionicconstituent of the catalyst is initiallychemically bonded to an inertparticulate solid.

US 6,526,920, 13 May 2003, ExxonMobil ChemicalPatents Inc, Houston, TX, USA

BOOKSHELFAdvanced catalysts for emissioncontrols

Papers presented to the SAE 2003World Congress.

No editor, 2003, SAE International, Hitchin, UK, ISBN0-7680-1181-7, 93 pp, £53

Handbook of green chemistry &technology

A substantial book having 23chapters, 26 internationalcontributors, and many references tocatalysis.

J Clark and D Macquarrie (eds), 2002, BlackwellPublishing, Abingdon, ISBN 0632057157, 540 pp,£149

JUNE 2003 7

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