The Catalyst Review - February 2015 - 4

PROCESS NEWS
A Highly Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Making THF and Other
Chemicals from biomass...
The research group of Keiichi Tomishige at Tohoku University in collaboration with Daicel Corp has developed a catalytic reaction
system that is highly efficient for synthesizing tetrahydrofuran (THF) - a widely used solvent and raw material for making polyether
resin. The catalyst system consists of rhenium as the major active metal and palladium as a promoter, on a cerium oxide support.
In laboratory trials, a THF yield of more than 99% is achieved for the hydrogenolysis of the two adjacent hydroxyl groups of 1,4anhydroerythritol
(which is made by the fermentation and dehydration of sugar) in a dioxane solvent at 140-180°C and H2
pressure
of several tens of atmospheres. The catalytic reaction exhibited a turnover number velocity of 300 h-1
, and turnover number of
10,000, which is one order of magnitude larger than alternative homogeneous catalyst systems that use rhenium catalysts reducing
agents, which are more costly than H2
. The Re/Pd catalyst is not only highly active, but it is easily recovered by filtration and can
be reused - without a loss in activity - after calcination to remove traces of organic compounds. Source: Chemical Engineering,
2/2015, p. 11.
Solvent-Free Zeolites...
An international research team has now reported a simple and economical solvent-free approach to making multiple classes of
zeolites that could significantly cut down on environmental concerns. The work was led by Xiangju Meng and Feng-Shou Xiao of
Zhejiang University, in China, and Feng Deng of Wuhan Institute of Physics & Mathematics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and
it included process research and engineering collaborators at BASF. Solvent-free approaches to making zeolites are known, but they
usually begin with the hydrated form of silica gel, which limits industrial applications because anhydrous materials are ultimately
needed. The new approach involves grinding up anhydrous silica gel with ammonium fluoride and standard alkylammonium zeolite
templates at room temperature and then heating the mixtures as high as 240 °C. The fluoride helps drive crystallization of anhydrous
zeolites, the researchers note. Compared with conventional hydrothermal synthesis, the new solvent-free approach simplifies
procedures and enhances yields. Source: Chemical & Engineering News, 1/26/2015, p. 30.
Welcoming M. Domingo Tubio to The Catalyst Group
TCG is pleased to welcome Mr. M. Domingo Tubio to our team as Project Manager.
M. Domingo Tubio has joined The Catalyst Group (TCG), bringing 15 years of business
experience in OEM capital equipment design and commissioning and specialty chemicals R&D,
technical marketing and product management for heavy industry segments.
Domingo began his career in air pollution control in 2000 at Wheelabrator (Pittsburgh, PA)
where he specialized in acid gas and particulate emission control technologies. In 2007 Domingo
joined the specialty chemicals R&D group at GE Water & Process Technologies (formerly
Betz Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA). His responsibilities increased over seven years including new product
development, applications engineering, and global product marketing and product management. Domingo is
experienced in gas and liquid phase separations and high temperature reactions in heavy industry applications
including Power and Refining. Domingo is most proud of his efforts to help his customers succeed with safe,
compliant and profitable operations.
Domingo is looking forward to applying his technical knowledge of OEM equipment and specialty chemical
applications with insights into and experience with global business models including market entry strategies and
competitive benchmarking. Domingo received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
and his MBA from Temple University. He resides in the Philadelphia area with his wife, son and daughter. In his
free time he enjoys guitar, photography, and volunteering in local schools to teach children about math, science
and engineering. Please help us welcome Domingo to TCG by reaching out to say hello at (215) 628-4447 x1102
or email Domingo.Tubio@catalystgrp.com.
4
The Catalyst Review
February 2015

The Catalyst Review - February 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review - February 2015