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30.07.2019 (2444 Clicks)

ETH Zurich: A Catalyst for Methanol paves the Way for the sustainable Production of Fuels and Chemicals

Scientists at ETH Zurich and oil and gas company Total have developed a new catalyst that converts CO2 and hydrogen into methanol. Offering realistic market potential, the technology paves the way for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals.

Scientists at ETH Zurich have now teamed up with the French oil and gas company Total to develop a new technology that efficiently converts CO2 and hydrogen directly into methanol. Methanol is regarded as a commodity or bulk chemical. It is possible to convert it into fuels and a wide variety of chemical products, including those that today are mainly based on fossil resources. Moreover, methanol itself has the potential to be utilised as a propellant, in methanol fuel cells, for example.

Nanotechnology

The core of the new approach is a chemical catalyst based on indium oxide, which was developed by Javier Pérez-Ramírez, Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich, and his team. Just a few years ago, the team successfully demonstrated in experiments that indium oxide was capable of catalysing the necessary chemical reaction. Even at the time, it was encouraging that doing so generated virtually only methanol and almost no by-products other than water. The catalyst also proved to be highly stable. However, indium oxide was not sufficiently active as a catalyst; the large quantities needed prevent it from being a commercially viable option.

The team of scientists have now succeeded in boosting the activity of the catalyst significantly, without affecting its selectivity or stability. They achieved this by treating the indium oxide with a small quantity of palladium. “More specifically, we insert some single palladium atoms into the crystal lattice structure of the indium oxide, which anchor further palladium atoms to its surface, generating tiny clusters that are essential for the remarkable performance,” explains Cecilia Mondelli, a lecturer in Pérez-Ramírez’s group. Pérez-Ramírez points out that, with the aid of advanced analytical and theoretical methods, catalysis may now be considered nanotechnology, and in fact, the project clearly shows this to be the case.

The closed carbon cycle

“Nowadays, deriving methanol on an industrial scale is done exclusively from fossil fuels, with a correspondingly high carbon footprint,” Pérez-Ramírez says. “Our technology uses CO2 to produce methanol.” This CO2 may be extracted from the atmosphere or – more simply and efficiently – from the exhaust discharged by combustion power plants. Even if fuels are synthesised from the methanol and subsequently combusted, the CO2 is recycled and thus the carbon cycle is closed.

Producing the second raw material, hydrogen, requires electricity. However, the scientists point out that if this electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar or hydropower energy, it can be used to make sustainable methanol and thus sustainable chemicals and fuels.

Compared to other methods that are currently being applied to produce green fuels, Pérez-Ramírez continues, this technology has the great advantage that it is almost ready for the market. ETH Zurich and Total have jointly filed a patent for the technology. Total now plans to scale up the approach and potentially implement the technology in a demonstration unit over the next few years.

source: ETH

                     

29.07.2019 (2368 Clicks)

Tradecc showcases chemical Grouting Solutions at STUVA Expo 2019

Each tunneling project is unique and has its own challenges related to the conditions of the soil, the surface or the underground structures present. On November 26th and 27th 2019, Tradecc will present its construction chemicals, engineered to face those challenges, at STUVA Expo, one of the most specialized exhibitions for the tunnelling sector. At booth C123, visitors can also discover the latest innovative additions to Tradecc’s range of tunnelling solutions.

28.07.2019 (2519 Clicks)

Herrenknecht: Aircraft Take-offs above, Tunnel Construction below

Dubai International Airport is the hub of air traffic in the Persian Gulf: nearly 90 million international passengers are handled here each year. The operators are constantly investing in capacity expansion. As part of Dubai International Airport Expansion Phase 3, during ongoing flight operations a Herrenknecht micromachine (AVND2400AB) safely and precisely excavated three 610, 765 and 825 m long sections for a new stormwater drainage tunnel under the taxiway.

27.07.2019 (2389 Clicks)

Sandvik completes the Acquisition of Newtrax

Sandvik has completed the previously announced acquisition of Newtrax, a supplier of technology in wireless connectivity to monitor and provide insights on underground mining operations, including people, machines and the environment.

26.07.2019 (2206 Clicks)

Superior and CMS Cepcor create Partnership for Crusher Parts in North America

Superior Industries Inc., a U.S. based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and handling systems, says it has entered into a strategic partnership with Europe’s largest manufacturer of aftermarket crusher parts. For 40-plus years, CMS Cepcor has manufactured premium crusher spares for more than three dozen active and classic brands throughout Europe. The parts manufacturer recently expanded its global footprint when it launched CMS Cepcor Americas.

25.07.2019 (2571 Clicks)

Vale on the partial Return of dry Processing Operations at the Vargem Grande Complex

Vale informs that the National Mining Agency (Agência Nacional de Mineração - ANM) authorized the partial resumption of the dry processing operations at the Vargem Grande Complex. All operations of the Complex were suspended by ANM on February 20th, 2019, to prevent occasional triggers that could affect dam stability as a result of ongoing activities at the Complex.

25.07.2019 (2235 Clicks)

Anglo American approves Aquila hard coking Coal Project in Australia

Anglo American plc announces the approval by its Board of the Aquila project to extend the life of the Capcoal underground (Grasstree mine) hard coking coal operations in Queensland, Australia by six years, to 2028. With an expected attributable capital cost of US$226 million, development work is expected to begin in September 2019, with first longwall production of premium quality hard coking coal in early 2022.

24.07.2019 (2577 Clicks)

Anglo American senior leadership changes

Anglo American plc announces the appointment of Nolitha Fakude as Chairman of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa, with effect from 1 September 2019.

24.07.2019 (2482 Clicks)

Anglo American: Board Changes

Anglo American plc announces that Hixonia Nyasulu will join the Board as a non-executive director, with effect from 1 November 2019, and that Nonkululeko Nyembezi will join the Board as a non-executive director, with effect from 1 January 2020.

23.07.2019 (3568 Clicks)

Schachtbau Nordhausen and Bauer together at the MiningForum

The MiningForum, which takes place every two years, brings together decision makers, experts and specialists from the industry together for in-depth dialog. In their lectures, renowned speakers address relevant issues in the national and international commodity market. Alongside this, the specialist exhibition offers companies a platform to present their products and services. The conference was first hosted by DMT in 1991, 'in Kelbra which was close by and supported by Schachtbau Nordhausen GmbH,' reminisces Managing Director of Schachtbau, Michael Seifert (second from the left). The 15th meeting of the MiningForum took place on June 27 and 28 in Berlin.