Degussa Headwaters Pilot Plant Validates New Technology
DegussaHeadwaters, a joint venture between Degussa AG, Dusseldorf, Germany, and Headwaters, Inc., South Jordan, Utah, has successfully integrated its pilot plant for direct synthesis hydrogen peroxide (DSHP) into the pilot plant for manufacturing propylene oxide (PO) using Degussa-Uhde technology. The joint venture thus reached an important milestone in developing and marketing the direct synthesis of H2O2. It also marks the first time that propylene oxide has been generated from hydrogen peroxide by means of the DSHP process. DegussaHeadwaters expects to complete its development of the new DSHP process by end of 2006, making the technology commercially available in 2007.
The industrial process for the direct synthesis uses a nanocatalyst developed by Headwaters to react hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) to form hydrogen peroxide. "The hydrogen peroxide is produced as a dilute solution in methanol and can be directly converted into propylene oxide in the PO process," explains Dr. Thomas Haas, general manager of DegussaHeadwaters. He emphasizes, "Our direct synthesis operates below the explosion limit, ensuring a safe process."
Direct synthesis is expected to provide a highly cost-effective process for the production of H2O2 as an intermediate product for chemical synthesis. José Berges, vice president and general manager of New Technologies, in Degussa's Active Oxygens Business Line, says, "Versus conventional technology, we project that we can reduce our investment cost for integrated H2O2 plants by one-third to one-half."
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Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.