Nissan starts vehicle-testing new stack

Group. Besides, universities andresearch centres such as theBoreskov Institute of Catalysis, TheNetherlands-based University ofGroningen, Slovenia-based Universityof Maribor, Germany-based UhdeHigh Pressure Technology, and TheNetherlands -based SparqleInternational have also undertakenthe project. The project, which startedin Jan 2008, is expected to end by 31Dec 2011.

Biofuels International, Feb 2009, 3 (1), 17

Genomatica produces pure BDO fromnatural sugars

Genomatica announced that thecompany’s engineering team hasachieved an important milestonetoward producing commercial grade1,4-butanediol (BDO) from renewablefeedstocks using Genomatica’s novelbioprocess. The company hasdemonstrated that it can process BDOproduced from sugar to >99% purityusing a proprietary and cost-effectiverecovery process. The achievementclears the way for development of ademonstration plant to beginoperating in 2010.

Press release from: Genomatica, 5405 MorehouseDrive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. Tel: +1858 824 1771. Fax: +1 858 824 1772. E-mail:info@genomatica.com. Website:http://www.genomatica.com (2 Jun 2009)

Cellulosic ethanol is closer than itseems

Novozymes has introduced cellulaseand hemicellulase enzymes, whichprovide impetus to the commercialgrowth of cellulosic ethanol. Contraryto other enzymes utilized to extractsugars from complex biomassmaterial, cellulase efficiently breaksdown the raw material on one handwhereas hemicellulase intensifies therelease of C5 sugars, also known asxylose, and fortifies the action ofcellulose in effecting higherproduction of ethanol on the otherhand. These enzymes can be used incellulosic biorefineries with ease.

Biofuels International, Feb 2009, 3 (1), 52-53

Accellerase 1500: new from Genencor

Genencor has unveiled its newcellulosic ethanol enzyme product

Accellerase 1500 during the NationalEthanol Congress in San Antonio, TX.The introduction of Accellerase 1500is another important milestonetowards the mass production ofbiofuels and other biochemicalssourced from renewable, non-foodraw materials.

Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, Mar/Apr 2009, 27 (2),43

Greener urea production

JGC Corp has come up with a high-thermal efficiency, low carbon dioxideemission method for makingsynthesis gas from natural gas.Called Advanced Autho-thermalGasification (AATG), the technologycombines ultra-deep desulfurizationof natural gas with a novel reformingcatalyst to generate enough carbondioxide for urea production. Thereforming catalyst facilitatesoxidation and the reforming reactionto occur simultaneously in anadiabatic reactor, avoiding the needfor burners. The process can cut theamount of catalysts to 25% of thatneeded by conventional methodsusing pre-reformers. The technologyalso provides a compact design byeliminating the feed-gas heater andreducing the size of the reactorvessel to potentially generatesavings in construction costs. HighPressure Acid-Gas CaptureTechnology, a new acid gas removaltechnology being developed byBASF SE and JGC under thesponsorship of the Japanese Ministryof Economy, Trade and Industry, maybe combined with AATG to cutenergy use and carbon dioxideemissions associated with ureaproduction.

Nitrogen + Syngas, May/Jun 2009, (299), 34-39

Solid catalyst converts algae tobiodiesel

United Environment and Energy(Horseheads, NY) is developing aprocess for converting oil from algaedirectly to diesel. Algal oil is firstextracted with an organic solvent. Amixed metal oxide catalyst thenpromotes the transesterification of thisoil with methanol.

Chemical Engineering, May 2009, 116 (5), 14

Furuya unveils platinum-free catalystfor polymer fuel cells

Furuya Metal has come up with aplatinum-free catalyst derived fromelectrodes of polymer electrolyte fuelcells (PEFC). The catalyst, whichconsists of ruthenium nanoparticlesdispersed in amorphous carbon,exhibits PEFC output characteristicscomparable to those exhibited byplatinum catalysts while being lessvulnerable to carbon monoxidepoisoning. The company says it willfurther refine the catalyst and expectsto begin sample shipments in Apr2010.

Japan Chemical Web, 4 May 2009 (Website:http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)

Nissan starts vehicle-testing newstack

Nissan Motor Co of Japan has beguntrials of an automobile powered by anext-generation PEM fuel cell stack.The new system generates a poweroutput of 130 kW, 1.4 times the 90 kWgenerated by the previous model. It isalso 25% smaller, as well as moredurable and less expensive as it usesonly half the amount of platinum in itselectrodes. The technology is part ofthe company’s Green Program 2010,which aims to developenvironmentally friendly products andservices in order to reduce carbonand other emissions.

Fuel Cells Bulletin, Apr 2009, 2

Kenko to promote photocatalyst assolar-cell material

Kenko Corp is marketing anddistributing in Japan a tungstenoxide/titanium dioxide compositephotocatalyst from South Korea ascoating for the glass substrates ofsolar-cell modules. PV-100, producedby South Korea’s Chem-Well Tech,increases the light transmission ofglass substrates by up to 5%, therebyreducing the amount of light going towaste as a result of light reflectionand absorption. This performance ismade possible by titanium oxide,which has high antifouling and self-cleaning capability.

Japan Chemical Web, 20 May 2009 (Website:http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)

6 JULY 2009

F O C U S O N C A T A L Y S T S