This is a blog about Desulfurization technology, and so you will see that this post is somewhat off-topic … but I think it is relevant, so here it is …
A company I used to work for implemented a rewards program to support their subscription to the “Balanced Scorecard” theory. One of their reward categories was “cost savings.” Periodically, the president of the company, with much fanfare, congratulated the winner of the “cost savings” initiative. The lucky recipient of the award won a $100 bonus check.
On one such occasion it occurred to me that I could suggest something that would save the company a LOT of money … just go out of business! That would save TONS of money! Fortunately. my inner voice told me that this would (A) not result in a prize and (B) would result in the loss of my job. So I said nothing.
And now to my point … any successful businessman knows that SAVING money is not why he is in business. He is in business to MAKE money. To MAKE money, you need to use your available resources in the most effective way to maximize profit.
If your business employs highly skilled, and therefore highly paid, scientists and engineers, to MAKE money you need to be sure that their time is engaged in the pursuit of science and engineering … NOT in Googling for the information that they need to pursue the science and engineering that makes you money.
That is why you …
(A) Employ a librarian to support your scientists and engineers, OR …
(B) Engage the services of an Independent Information Professional like Jean Steinhardt Consulting LLC
If you do, you will save money … but you will save money STRATEGICALLY.
P.S. The company in question no longer exists. It was acquired as part of a strategic realignment by another company (AECOM) which seems to understand the concept of making money.
Visit Jean Steinhardt's LinkedIn profile at ...
www.linkedin.com/pub/jean-steinhardt/12/421/870
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Frontiers of Chemical Engineering in China
Thousands of brilliant minds are working on solutions to the technological problems that confront modern civilization. And the brilliance emanates from sources across the globe. For example …
Frontiers of Chemical Engineering in China, 2009, 3(1): 12-19
DOI 10.1007/s11705-009-0151-3
Measurement and correlation of supercritical CO2 and ionic liquid systems for design of advanced unit operations
Hiroshi Machida et al
Department of Chemical Engineering, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
"Ionic liquids combined with supercritical fluid technology hold great promise as working solvents for developing compact processes. Ionic liquids, which are organic molten salts, typically have extremely low volatility and high functionality, but possess high viscosities, surface tensions and low diffusion coefficients, which can limit their applicability. CO2, on the other hand, expecially in its supercritical state, is a green solvent that can be used advantageously when combined with the ionic liquid to provide viscosity and surface tension reduction and to promote mass transfer.
"In this work we examine a subset of of available high pressure pure component ionic liquid PVT data and high pressure CO2-ionic liquid solubility data and report new correlations for CO2-ionic liquid systems with equations of state that have some industrial applications including:
(1) general
(2) fuel desulfurization
(3) CO2 capture
(4) chiral separation"
source: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1p47j5q8744u5384/
By the way, if you have ever wondered what the “DOI” designation stands for, it signifies “Digital Object Identifier.” It is a way to uniquely identify each discrete item on the Web, making it easier to cite and find. For example, the DOI for the article above is DOI 10.1007/s11705-009-0151-3. To find your way to the article on Google®, you could search by its title, or you could search by its DOI. Advantage? Usually the DOI search will result in just a handful of highly targeted search results, reducing your browsing time.
Frontiers of Chemical Engineering in China, 2009, 3(1): 12-19
DOI 10.1007/s11705-009-0151-3
Measurement and correlation of supercritical CO2 and ionic liquid systems for design of advanced unit operations
Hiroshi Machida et al
Department of Chemical Engineering, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
"Ionic liquids combined with supercritical fluid technology hold great promise as working solvents for developing compact processes. Ionic liquids, which are organic molten salts, typically have extremely low volatility and high functionality, but possess high viscosities, surface tensions and low diffusion coefficients, which can limit their applicability. CO2, on the other hand, expecially in its supercritical state, is a green solvent that can be used advantageously when combined with the ionic liquid to provide viscosity and surface tension reduction and to promote mass transfer.
"In this work we examine a subset of of available high pressure pure component ionic liquid PVT data and high pressure CO2-ionic liquid solubility data and report new correlations for CO2-ionic liquid systems with equations of state that have some industrial applications including:
(1) general
(2) fuel desulfurization
(3) CO2 capture
(4) chiral separation"
source: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1p47j5q8744u5384/
By the way, if you have ever wondered what the “DOI” designation stands for, it signifies “Digital Object Identifier.” It is a way to uniquely identify each discrete item on the Web, making it easier to cite and find. For example, the DOI for the article above is DOI 10.1007/s11705-009-0151-3. To find your way to the article on Google®, you could search by its title, or you could search by its DOI. Advantage? Usually the DOI search will result in just a handful of highly targeted search results, reducing your browsing time.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Catalyst Review Newsletter
According to its website (http://www.catalystgrp.com/catalystreview.html) …
“The Catalyst Review is a monthly newsletter specially geared for a targeted, busy audience...people who need to stay on top of developments that can affect their business, but don't have a lot of time to do that.
“The Catalyst Review is designed to provide readers with a global overview of events impacting the $10 billion catalyst industry, through selected abstracts, company interviews, and original articles. There is also a special "Rumors" column that gives a view of what's going on behind the scenes too. Reader questions and comments are welcomed, to provide an additional value to subscribers. This reinforces the purpose of The Catalyst Review, which is to provide a timely line on key news and research, in an easy-to-digest format.”
We do not subscribe, but found a sample letter online that looked good (see below), so you might want to take a look.
“The Catalyst Review Newsletter, Special Feature
“Catalysts for Hydroprocessing Heavy Oil
“The development and use of technologies for hydroprocessing of heavy oils have been receiving attention because of the decrease in the amount of light sweet crude oil available for refineries. The imbalance created by the increasing demand for distillate products can only be solved by increasing the upgrading of heavy and residual oils. This favors investment in the development of catalysts for heavy oil conversion and upgrading.
“Of the available possibilities for treatment of heavy oil, hydrogen addition processes lead not only to overall higher liquid yields but also high hydrogen consumption. These processes, which provide the feedstock for the subsequent fluid catalytic cracking, require the use of well designed catalysts capable of dealing with the high concentrations of metals and asphaltene constituents in the feedstock. Moreover, the multifunctional catalysts used for hydrocracking processes (Figure 1) become poisoned by coke deposition and the heavy metals present in the feed create a hazardous waste, which has to be disposed properly. A high catalyst demetallization function is necessary and the concentration of nitrogen compounds must be taken to a minimum to avoid poisoning of the catalyst acid sites in subsequent processes."
View the full text of the May, 2008 edition of the Catalyst Review Newsletter at ...
http://www.catalystgrp.com/pdffiles/0508CatalystReview.pdf
And remember ... we provide the research that helps you do your research.
Visit our web at www.JeanSteinhardtConsulting.com
“The Catalyst Review is a monthly newsletter specially geared for a targeted, busy audience...people who need to stay on top of developments that can affect their business, but don't have a lot of time to do that.
“The Catalyst Review is designed to provide readers with a global overview of events impacting the $10 billion catalyst industry, through selected abstracts, company interviews, and original articles. There is also a special "Rumors" column that gives a view of what's going on behind the scenes too. Reader questions and comments are welcomed, to provide an additional value to subscribers. This reinforces the purpose of The Catalyst Review, which is to provide a timely line on key news and research, in an easy-to-digest format.”
We do not subscribe, but found a sample letter online that looked good (see below), so you might want to take a look.
“The Catalyst Review Newsletter, Special Feature
“Catalysts for Hydroprocessing Heavy Oil
“The development and use of technologies for hydroprocessing of heavy oils have been receiving attention because of the decrease in the amount of light sweet crude oil available for refineries. The imbalance created by the increasing demand for distillate products can only be solved by increasing the upgrading of heavy and residual oils. This favors investment in the development of catalysts for heavy oil conversion and upgrading.
“Of the available possibilities for treatment of heavy oil, hydrogen addition processes lead not only to overall higher liquid yields but also high hydrogen consumption. These processes, which provide the feedstock for the subsequent fluid catalytic cracking, require the use of well designed catalysts capable of dealing with the high concentrations of metals and asphaltene constituents in the feedstock. Moreover, the multifunctional catalysts used for hydrocracking processes (Figure 1) become poisoned by coke deposition and the heavy metals present in the feed create a hazardous waste, which has to be disposed properly. A high catalyst demetallization function is necessary and the concentration of nitrogen compounds must be taken to a minimum to avoid poisoning of the catalyst acid sites in subsequent processes."
View the full text of the May, 2008 edition of the Catalyst Review Newsletter at ...
http://www.catalystgrp.com/pdffiles/0508CatalystReview.pdf
And remember ... we provide the research that helps you do your research.
Visit our web at www.JeanSteinhardtConsulting.com
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mustang Engineering
Mustang Engineering (www.mustangeng.com) is a leading engineering firm in the global oil and gas business. Desulfurization is among their areas of expertise. See, for example, the following recent article …
PTQ - Petroleum Technology Quarterly, Q1 2009
Clean Diesel Hydrotreating
Design considerations for clean diesel hydrotreating. Critical issues are discussed when designing a hydrotreating facility to produce diesel fuel with very low levels of total sulphur.
Ed Palmer, Stan Polcar and Anne Wong
Mustang Engineering (www.mustangeng.com)
R E (Ed) Palmer is Manager, Process Design, Mustang Process Plants, Mustang Engineering, Houston, Texas
ed.palmer@mustangeng.com
Stan Polcar is Process Engineering Manager, Mustang Process Plants, Mustang Engineering, Houston, Texas
stan.polcar@mustangeng.com
Anne Wong is Senior Consulting Technical Professional, Mustang Process Plants, Mustang Engineering, Houston, Texas
anne.wong@mustangeng.com
Anne Wong
Downstream Process Engjneer at Mustang Engineering
LinkedIn Public Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anne-wong/9/ba1/49a
The entire article is worth reading, but the following observation caught my eye …
"Due to high worldwide demand, getting the necessary equipment delivered to the site could be a major challenge for any project. Construction and installation schedules are often governed by the delivery of long-lead items."
“Estimated equipment/materials delivery matrix
Compressors (reciprocating)...70-92 weeks
Compressors (centrifugal)...70-84 weeks
ANSI pumps..................22-30 weeks
Reactors (ULSD/alloy)........18-24 months
Pressure vessels (alloys).....48-56 weeks
Shell & tube heat exchangers (alloys)...52-80 weeks”
View full text of the article at …
http://www.mustangeng.com/AboutMustang/Publications/Publications/Clean_Diesel_Hydrotreating_PTQ_Q1_2009.pdf
Care to comment? You can reach us at:
research@jeansteinhardtconsulting.com
PTQ - Petroleum Technology Quarterly, Q1 2009
Clean Diesel Hydrotreating
Design considerations for clean diesel hydrotreating. Critical issues are discussed when designing a hydrotreating facility to produce diesel fuel with very low levels of total sulphur.
Ed Palmer, Stan Polcar and Anne Wong
Mustang Engineering (www.mustangeng.com)
R E (Ed) Palmer is Manager, Process Design, Mustang Process Plants, Mustang Engineering, Houston, Texas
ed.palmer@mustangeng.com
Stan Polcar is Process Engineering Manager, Mustang Process Plants, Mustang Engineering, Houston, Texas
stan.polcar@mustangeng.com
Anne Wong is Senior Consulting Technical Professional, Mustang Process Plants, Mustang Engineering, Houston, Texas
anne.wong@mustangeng.com
Anne Wong
Downstream Process Engjneer at Mustang Engineering
LinkedIn Public Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anne-wong/9/ba1/49a
The entire article is worth reading, but the following observation caught my eye …
"Due to high worldwide demand, getting the necessary equipment delivered to the site could be a major challenge for any project. Construction and installation schedules are often governed by the delivery of long-lead items."
“Estimated equipment/materials delivery matrix
Compressors (reciprocating)...70-92 weeks
Compressors (centrifugal)...70-84 weeks
ANSI pumps..................22-30 weeks
Reactors (ULSD/alloy)........18-24 months
Pressure vessels (alloys).....48-56 weeks
Shell & tube heat exchangers (alloys)...52-80 weeks”
View full text of the article at …
http://www.mustangeng.com/AboutMustang/Publications/Publications/Clean_Diesel_Hydrotreating_PTQ_Q1_2009.pdf
Care to comment? You can reach us at:
research@jeansteinhardtconsulting.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Expert Search Tip: National Academy of Engineering
Desulfurization Blog (http://jeansteinhardtconsulting.com/) followers know that our aim is to provide, in addition to specific resources, tips on how you can locate those resources.
Today's tip is how to use Google® to save time searching a known website.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) (http://www.nae.edu/) mission is "to promote the technological welfare of the U.S. by marshaling the knowledge and insights of eminent members of the engineering profession"
Searching for “desulfurization” from within the NAE website results in nothing of interest. However, a Google® search using the string: "national academy of engineering" desulfurization 2009 produces …
UC Berkeley Department of Chemical Engineering
Enrique Iglesia
Chancellor Professor of Chemical Engineering
email: iglesia@berkeley.edu
office: 103 Gilman
phone: 925-323-5559
fax: 510-642-4778
lab: 271, 276, 297, 374, 376, 391, & 393 Tan
lab phone: 510-642-6892 (2nd floor)
510-643-0930 (3rd floor)
Research Group
Recent Publications
Research Interests
Heterogeneous catalysis and chemical reaction engineering
Professor Iglesia has been involved in studies of heterogeneous catalysts for the direct and indirect conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons, uses of light alkanes in desulfurization and de-NOx, reactions, dehydrogenation of light alkanes to alkenes and aromatics, catalytic reforming and cracking processes, for low-temperature isomerization, alkylation, and combustion reactions. Current research projects also include the practical use of catalytic membranes to combine reaction and separation functions in alkane dehydrogenation and conversion processes and the development of theoretical methods for predicting the structure, transport, and chemical properties of porous solid catalysts. His research group at Berkeley combines expertise and facilities for the synthesis of novel catalytic solids, their in-situ structural and mechanistic characterization, and the detailed modeling of kinetic and transport processes in catalytic processes relevant to oil refining and petrochemical synthesis.
Biography
Professor; Faculty Scientist, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Ph.D., Stanford University (1982). Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Catalysis; Director, Berkeley Catalysis Center; National Academy of Engineering (2008); Humboldt Senior Scientist Research Award (2007); Donald Sterling Noyce Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, University of California (2005); Ipatieff Professorship, Northwestern University (2005); Robert Burwell Award of the Catalysis Society (2005); George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon Chemistry of the American Chemical Society (2005),Wilhelm Manchot Chemistry Prize, Technical University of Munich (2004), Award for Excellence in Natural Gas Conversion (2004), Robert H. Wilhelm Award in Chemical Reaction Engineering of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2003), Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis of the Catalysis Society (1997), Eminent Visitor Award, Chemical Society of South Africa (1997); Best Teacher Award, Berkeley AIChE Chapter (1998); Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (1996).
View the source of this information at …
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000849/
Feedback is welcome. Send comments and suggestions to:
research@jeansteinhardtconsulting.com
Today's tip is how to use Google® to save time searching a known website.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) (http://www.nae.edu/) mission is "to promote the technological welfare of the U.S. by marshaling the knowledge and insights of eminent members of the engineering profession"
Searching for “desulfurization” from within the NAE website results in nothing of interest. However, a Google® search using the string: "national academy of engineering" desulfurization 2009 produces …
UC Berkeley Department of Chemical Engineering
Enrique Iglesia
Chancellor Professor of Chemical Engineering
email: iglesia@berkeley.edu
office: 103 Gilman
phone: 925-323-5559
fax: 510-642-4778
lab: 271, 276, 297, 374, 376, 391, & 393 Tan
lab phone: 510-642-6892 (2nd floor)
510-643-0930 (3rd floor)
Research Group
Recent Publications
Research Interests
Heterogeneous catalysis and chemical reaction engineering
Professor Iglesia has been involved in studies of heterogeneous catalysts for the direct and indirect conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons, uses of light alkanes in desulfurization and de-NOx, reactions, dehydrogenation of light alkanes to alkenes and aromatics, catalytic reforming and cracking processes, for low-temperature isomerization, alkylation, and combustion reactions. Current research projects also include the practical use of catalytic membranes to combine reaction and separation functions in alkane dehydrogenation and conversion processes and the development of theoretical methods for predicting the structure, transport, and chemical properties of porous solid catalysts. His research group at Berkeley combines expertise and facilities for the synthesis of novel catalytic solids, their in-situ structural and mechanistic characterization, and the detailed modeling of kinetic and transport processes in catalytic processes relevant to oil refining and petrochemical synthesis.
Biography
Professor; Faculty Scientist, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Ph.D., Stanford University (1982). Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Catalysis; Director, Berkeley Catalysis Center; National Academy of Engineering (2008); Humboldt Senior Scientist Research Award (2007); Donald Sterling Noyce Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, University of California (2005); Ipatieff Professorship, Northwestern University (2005); Robert Burwell Award of the Catalysis Society (2005); George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon Chemistry of the American Chemical Society (2005),Wilhelm Manchot Chemistry Prize, Technical University of Munich (2004), Award for Excellence in Natural Gas Conversion (2004), Robert H. Wilhelm Award in Chemical Reaction Engineering of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2003), Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis of the Catalysis Society (1997), Eminent Visitor Award, Chemical Society of South Africa (1997); Best Teacher Award, Berkeley AIChE Chapter (1998); Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (1996).
View the source of this information at …
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000849/
Feedback is welcome. Send comments and suggestions to:
research@jeansteinhardtconsulting.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Expert Alert: Dr. Kirk H. Schulz
Dr. Kirk H. Schulz's impressive CV runs to more than 20 pages. His expertise extends beyond desulfurization. It includes demonstrated skill in creating organizational structures that support the pursuit of excellence in technological research.
Here are just a few excerpts from the CV ...
Kirk H. Schulz
Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Office of Research and Economic Development
617 Allen Hall
P.O. Box 6343
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: 662-325-3570
Fax: 662-325-8028
Email: schulz@research.msstate.edu
EDUCATION
____________________________________________________________________
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1991.
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1986.
Old Dominion University, 1981-1984.
Certificate, MDP Program (Higher Ed. Leadership), Harvard University, 2003
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
_______________________________________________________________________________
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Mississippi State University, 2007 – Present (Interim 1/07 – 5/07).
Dean of Engineering and holder of Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport, Jr. Endowed Chair, James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University, 2005 – 2007.
Director (Department Head), Professor of Chemical Engineering and holder of Earnest W. Deavenport Jr. Endowed Chair, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 2001 – 2004.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
______________________________________________________________________________
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, 2007 – Present.
Mississippi State University is a nationally recognized land grant university classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Research University – High Activity. MSU had new grants and contracts in excess of $151M in FY2008, placing it among the top 100 universities nationally in funded research. The Vice President for Research and Economic Development is the chief research officer for the university, is a member of the Executive Council, and reports directly to the President. The Vice President has administrative oversight and responsibility for Sponsored Programs Administration (including Export Control), the Office of Regulatory Compliance, the Office of Laboratory Animal Research, the Office of Technology Commercialization, the Facilities Security Officer, and the Thad Cochran Research, Technology, and Economic Development Park. The Vice President for Research and Economic Development also is the lead institutional officer for non-agriculture based federal initiatives. Additionally, the Vice President serves as the President of the MSU Research Technology Corporation during odd years.
Major Accomplishments:
• Developed a strategic plan with significant university input that seeks to place Mississippi State in the Top 100 Research Institutions nationally in all major categories by 2012 (http://www.research.msstate.edu/plan/).
• MSU landed in excess of $151M in new grants and contracts in 2007 – 2008, the third highest total ever achieved.
• Secured funding for several major federal initiatives including $7.4M for a new building in the Thad Cochran Research, Development, and Technology Park (http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20081013/NEWS/81013005).
• Developed and implemented an improved process for selection of federal research and economic development initiatives which is responsible for nearly $43M annually in Kirk H. Schulz 3 congressional requests. During the last congressional budget cycle, Mississippi State was ranked as the top university in the U.S. in acquisition of federally directed funds (http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i29/29a00101.htm).
• Provided support for the establishment of 7 high-technology Mississippi University Research Authority (MURA) start-up companies (Biocrude, LLC; Camgian Networks; Remote Animal Monitoring Solutions; Atmos Technology; Predictive Design Technologies; Infinisat, LLC; MP Resins), 80 patent disclosures, 23 patent applications, and 4 patents since 2007.
• Provided support for four new research centers – the National Strategic Analysis and Training Center (nSPARC), the Family Business Research Center, The Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC), and the MSU Energy Institute – bringing the total number of centers and institutes at MSU to 41.
• Initiated a monthly “Dear Colleague” letter to keep faculty and staff informed about new initiatives within the Office of Research, to promote faculty achievement to the entire university community, and in general to promote improved communications between the Office of Research and the university community (http://www.research.msstate.edu/personals/schulz.php).
• Initiated and developed a research experience for high school students focused on the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. Presently, 22 high school students are conducting research projects with MSU faculty members.
• Developed electronic mail list servers with monthly research announcements and funding opportunities sent to focused faculty groups (such as Humanities and Sciences) in order to increase the number of faculty doing funded research.
• Developed leadership programs for faculty and staff members to prepare the next generation of academic and research leaders at Mississippi State that have impacted 35 faculty and 15 staff members to date (http://www.research.msstate.edu/development/).
24. C.L. Roe and K.H. Schulz, “Hydrodesulfurization Reactions on Carbon Modified Mo(110) Surfaces”, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A, 16, 1998, 1066 – 1072 Kirk H. Schulz 13
28. C.L. Roe and K.H. Schulz, “Reaction of Ethanethiol on Clean and Carbon-Modified Mo(110) Surfaces as a Function of Sulfur Coverage”, Surface Science, 446, 2000, 254-266.
30. C.L. Roe and K.H. Schulz, “Modelling Molybdenum Carbide-based Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur Modified Mo(110) Surfaces”, Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis: Hydrotreatment and Hydrocracking of Oil Fractions, 127, 1999, 121-128.
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
______________________________________________________________________________
15. "The Desulfurization of Organosulfur Molecules over MoS2 Single Crystal Model Catalysts" (with Susan L. Peterson), 1993 American Institute of Chemical Engineers National Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, November, 1993.
27. "MoS2 as a Model Desulfurization Catalyst", Invited Lecture, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, March, 1995
36. “Hydrodesulfurization Surface Reactions on Single Crystal Model Catalysts”, Invited Lecture, Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, March, 1997.
41. “Hydrodesulfurization Reactions on Carbon Modified Mo(110)”, (with C.L. Roe), 44th American Vacuum Society National Symposium, San Jose, California, October, 1997.
42. “The Catalytic Hydrodesulfurization Properties of MoS2(0001)”, (with Christopher G. Wiegenstein), 1997 AIChE National Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, November, 1997.
47. “Modelling Hydrodesulfurization Catalysis”, Invited Lecture, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, March, 1998.
49. “Modeling Molybdenum Carbide-Based Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur-Modified Mo(110) Surfaces (With C.L. Roe), Michigan Catalysis Society Symposium, Detroit, MI,
53. "Modeling Molybdenum Carbide-Based Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur-Modified Mo(110) Surfaces", (with Chuck Roe) AVS 45th International Symposium, Baltimore, Md, November 1998.
64. “Modelling Molybdenum Carbide-Based Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur Modified Mo(110) Surfaces”, (with C.L. Roe), 16th North American Catalysis Society Meeting, Boston, MA, May, 1999.
View Dr. Schulz's complete CV at ...
http://www.research.msstate.edu/pdf/schulz_cv.pdf
Here are just a few excerpts from the CV ...
Kirk H. Schulz
Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Office of Research and Economic Development
617 Allen Hall
P.O. Box 6343
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Phone: 662-325-3570
Fax: 662-325-8028
Email: schulz@research.msstate.edu
EDUCATION
____________________________________________________________________
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1991.
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1986.
Old Dominion University, 1981-1984.
Certificate, MDP Program (Higher Ed. Leadership), Harvard University, 2003
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
_______________________________________________________________________________
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Mississippi State University, 2007 – Present (Interim 1/07 – 5/07).
Dean of Engineering and holder of Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport, Jr. Endowed Chair, James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University, 2005 – 2007.
Director (Department Head), Professor of Chemical Engineering and holder of Earnest W. Deavenport Jr. Endowed Chair, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 2001 – 2004.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
______________________________________________________________________________
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, 2007 – Present.
Mississippi State University is a nationally recognized land grant university classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Research University – High Activity. MSU had new grants and contracts in excess of $151M in FY2008, placing it among the top 100 universities nationally in funded research. The Vice President for Research and Economic Development is the chief research officer for the university, is a member of the Executive Council, and reports directly to the President. The Vice President has administrative oversight and responsibility for Sponsored Programs Administration (including Export Control), the Office of Regulatory Compliance, the Office of Laboratory Animal Research, the Office of Technology Commercialization, the Facilities Security Officer, and the Thad Cochran Research, Technology, and Economic Development Park. The Vice President for Research and Economic Development also is the lead institutional officer for non-agriculture based federal initiatives. Additionally, the Vice President serves as the President of the MSU Research Technology Corporation during odd years.
Major Accomplishments:
• Developed a strategic plan with significant university input that seeks to place Mississippi State in the Top 100 Research Institutions nationally in all major categories by 2012 (http://www.research.msstate.edu/plan/).
• MSU landed in excess of $151M in new grants and contracts in 2007 – 2008, the third highest total ever achieved.
• Secured funding for several major federal initiatives including $7.4M for a new building in the Thad Cochran Research, Development, and Technology Park (http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20081013/NEWS/81013005).
• Developed and implemented an improved process for selection of federal research and economic development initiatives which is responsible for nearly $43M annually in Kirk H. Schulz 3 congressional requests. During the last congressional budget cycle, Mississippi State was ranked as the top university in the U.S. in acquisition of federally directed funds (http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i29/29a00101.htm).
• Provided support for the establishment of 7 high-technology Mississippi University Research Authority (MURA) start-up companies (Biocrude, LLC; Camgian Networks; Remote Animal Monitoring Solutions; Atmos Technology; Predictive Design Technologies; Infinisat, LLC; MP Resins), 80 patent disclosures, 23 patent applications, and 4 patents since 2007.
• Provided support for four new research centers – the National Strategic Analysis and Training Center (nSPARC), the Family Business Research Center, The Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC), and the MSU Energy Institute – bringing the total number of centers and institutes at MSU to 41.
• Initiated a monthly “Dear Colleague” letter to keep faculty and staff informed about new initiatives within the Office of Research, to promote faculty achievement to the entire university community, and in general to promote improved communications between the Office of Research and the university community (http://www.research.msstate.edu/personals/schulz.php).
• Initiated and developed a research experience for high school students focused on the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. Presently, 22 high school students are conducting research projects with MSU faculty members.
• Developed electronic mail list servers with monthly research announcements and funding opportunities sent to focused faculty groups (such as Humanities and Sciences) in order to increase the number of faculty doing funded research.
• Developed leadership programs for faculty and staff members to prepare the next generation of academic and research leaders at Mississippi State that have impacted 35 faculty and 15 staff members to date (http://www.research.msstate.edu/development/).
24. C.L. Roe and K.H. Schulz, “Hydrodesulfurization Reactions on Carbon Modified Mo(110) Surfaces”, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A, 16, 1998, 1066 – 1072 Kirk H. Schulz 13
28. C.L. Roe and K.H. Schulz, “Reaction of Ethanethiol on Clean and Carbon-Modified Mo(110) Surfaces as a Function of Sulfur Coverage”, Surface Science, 446, 2000, 254-266.
30. C.L. Roe and K.H. Schulz, “Modelling Molybdenum Carbide-based Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur Modified Mo(110) Surfaces”, Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis: Hydrotreatment and Hydrocracking of Oil Fractions, 127, 1999, 121-128.
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
______________________________________________________________________________
15. "The Desulfurization of Organosulfur Molecules over MoS2 Single Crystal Model Catalysts" (with Susan L. Peterson), 1993 American Institute of Chemical Engineers National Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, November, 1993.
27. "MoS2 as a Model Desulfurization Catalyst", Invited Lecture, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, March, 1995
36. “Hydrodesulfurization Surface Reactions on Single Crystal Model Catalysts”, Invited Lecture, Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, March, 1997.
41. “Hydrodesulfurization Reactions on Carbon Modified Mo(110)”, (with C.L. Roe), 44th American Vacuum Society National Symposium, San Jose, California, October, 1997.
42. “The Catalytic Hydrodesulfurization Properties of MoS2(0001)”, (with Christopher G. Wiegenstein), 1997 AIChE National Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, November, 1997.
47. “Modelling Hydrodesulfurization Catalysis”, Invited Lecture, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, March, 1998.
49. “Modeling Molybdenum Carbide-Based Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur-Modified Mo(110) Surfaces (With C.L. Roe), Michigan Catalysis Society Symposium, Detroit, MI,
53. "Modeling Molybdenum Carbide-Based Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur-Modified Mo(110) Surfaces", (with Chuck Roe) AVS 45th International Symposium, Baltimore, Md, November 1998.
64. “Modelling Molybdenum Carbide-Based Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts Using Carbon and Sulfur Modified Mo(110) Surfaces”, (with C.L. Roe), 16th North American Catalysis Society Meeting, Boston, MA, May, 1999.
View Dr. Schulz's complete CV at ...
http://www.research.msstate.edu/pdf/schulz_cv.pdf
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Search Tip: Googling LinkedIn
LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com) is an astonishing resource for locating and connecting with experts in various fields. You can search for desulfurization experts from within LinkedIn. We find, however, that it is easier to find the people you are looking for by Googling LinkedIn.
For example, a Google search using the following string ...
linkedin desulfurization
resulted in a number of hits, including ...
Ram Sundararaman
Chemical Engineering Intern at RTI International
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Current: Chemical Engineering Intern at RTI International
Graduate Research Assistant at EMS Energy Institute
Education:
Pennsylvania State University
Anna University
Ram Sundararaman’s Summary
Ram Sundararaman’s Specialties:
Process R&D, clean fuels and catalysis, oxidation, hydrotreating, hydrocarbon upgrading, non-conventional refining processes and advanced oxy-combustion and gasification technologies
Ram Sundararaman’s Experience
Chemical Engineering Intern
RTI International
(Non-Profit; Research industry)
May 2009 — Present (5 months)
Advanced Oxy-Combustion Technologies
Chemical looping combustion of gaseous & solid fuels
Evaluation/development of oxygen transport materials
Process and material evaluation of an alternative technology for deep desulfurization of diesel fuel
Graduate Research Assistant
EMS Energy Institute
(Research industry)
January 2006 — Present (3 years 9 months)
Air oxidative desulfurization for ultra low sulfur logisitic and commerical liquid fuels
Catalyst and adsorbent development
Oxidative desulfurization (via cracking) of hydrocarbon streams with high sulfur content
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ram Sundararaman’s Education
Pennsylvania State University
PhD , Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering , 2005 — 2009
Anna University
B.Tech , Chemical Engineering , 2001 — 2005
• Research Intern at Nanoscience Group - National Chemical Laboratory (May 2005 – July 2005)
Catalyst development for hydrogenation reactions
• Chemical Engineering Co-Op at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (December 2004 – April 2005)
Modeling and simulation of fluid catalytic cracker regenerator
• Research Intern at Catalysis Division - National Chemical Laboratory (May 2004 – July 2004)
Catalyst development for desulfurization - ULSD catalyst
Process and catalyst development for heavy oil hydrotreating
View Ram Sundararaman's LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ram-sundararaman/a/684/91
For example, a Google search using the following string ...
linkedin desulfurization
resulted in a number of hits, including ...
Ram Sundararaman
Chemical Engineering Intern at RTI International
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Current: Chemical Engineering Intern at RTI International
Graduate Research Assistant at EMS Energy Institute
Education:
Pennsylvania State University
Anna University
Ram Sundararaman’s Summary
Ram Sundararaman’s Specialties:
Process R&D, clean fuels and catalysis, oxidation, hydrotreating, hydrocarbon upgrading, non-conventional refining processes and advanced oxy-combustion and gasification technologies
Ram Sundararaman’s Experience
Chemical Engineering Intern
RTI International
(Non-Profit; Research industry)
May 2009 — Present (5 months)
Advanced Oxy-Combustion Technologies
Chemical looping combustion of gaseous & solid fuels
Evaluation/development of oxygen transport materials
Process and material evaluation of an alternative technology for deep desulfurization of diesel fuel
Graduate Research Assistant
EMS Energy Institute
(Research industry)
January 2006 — Present (3 years 9 months)
Air oxidative desulfurization for ultra low sulfur logisitic and commerical liquid fuels
Catalyst and adsorbent development
Oxidative desulfurization (via cracking) of hydrocarbon streams with high sulfur content
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ram Sundararaman’s Education
Pennsylvania State University
PhD , Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering , 2005 — 2009
Anna University
B.Tech , Chemical Engineering , 2001 — 2005
• Research Intern at Nanoscience Group - National Chemical Laboratory (May 2005 – July 2005)
Catalyst development for hydrogenation reactions
• Chemical Engineering Co-Op at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (December 2004 – April 2005)
Modeling and simulation of fluid catalytic cracker regenerator
• Research Intern at Catalysis Division - National Chemical Laboratory (May 2004 – July 2004)
Catalyst development for desulfurization - ULSD catalyst
Process and catalyst development for heavy oil hydrotreating
View Ram Sundararaman's LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ram-sundararaman/a/684/91
Monday, September 21, 2009
Expert Quest
Conferences are sometimes a rich source of expertise ... Case in point ... the Catalytic Performance and Reactor Management Summit: Guaranteed profitability and optimal operation by improving the performance of catalysts and reactors for today’s refineries
March 23 - 26, 2008 · Shangri-La Hotel, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Here are a few of the names that appear on the program ...
Interactive Panel Session: The Global Market Situation And Its Impact On Middle East Refineries
David McNamara
EMEAR Technical Manager, Resid, Technical Service Department
CRI/Criterion
Ahmed Mohammed Al Haddabi
CEO
Sohar Refinery
Nasser Al Shamma
Manager Technical Services MAB Refinery
KNPC
Salah Dardeer
Engineering Division Head Riyadh Refinery Department, Riyadh Refinery
Saudi Aramco
REACTOR PERFORMANCE AND UPGRADES
The Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute’s Approach Of Hydroprocessing Refinery Streams And Its Estimated Industrial Impact
Dr. Saleh Hashim Al Hashimi
Director Centre of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute
Commercial Experience In Reactor Scale-Up And Design Improvement And Alternative Reactor Development From Fundamentals
This presentation will illustrate the benefits of utilizing laboratory models in design and transfer of new reactors in a timely and economical manner.
Dr Cemal Ercan
Refinery Research Scientist
Saudi Aramco
MEETING DEMAND: OPTIMAL REFINING PROCESSES: THE CATALYSTS AND REACTORS
Meeting The Environmental Regulations: An Approach To Achieving Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel Khalifa Al Qallaf
Manager Technical Services
Al Shuaiba Refinery, KNPC
OTG Advanced Technologies: Refiner Solution
Sami Hussein Al Yami
Quality Assurance, Materials Engineer
Saudi Aramco
Manufacturing And Use Of New Catalysts: From Advanced Zolite Characterization To New Catalyst Manufacturing
L. Domokos, R. Haswell
Shell Research and Technology Centre
Shell Global Solutions
Advances In Hydrotreating Catalysts For Improved Refining Processes
Dr Ki-Hyouk Choi
Senior Scientist, R&D Center
Saudi Aramco
Chemistry And Catalysis To Meet Future Resid Upgrading Challenges
David Mc Namara
EMEAR Technical Manager, Resid, Technical Service Department
CRI/Criterion
Visit http://www.iqpc.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=50120&details=64108&langtype=1033 to find a number of other experts, as well as abstracts of the presentations.
March 23 - 26, 2008 · Shangri-La Hotel, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Here are a few of the names that appear on the program ...
Interactive Panel Session: The Global Market Situation And Its Impact On Middle East Refineries
David McNamara
EMEAR Technical Manager, Resid, Technical Service Department
CRI/Criterion
Ahmed Mohammed Al Haddabi
CEO
Sohar Refinery
Nasser Al Shamma
Manager Technical Services MAB Refinery
KNPC
Salah Dardeer
Engineering Division Head Riyadh Refinery Department, Riyadh Refinery
Saudi Aramco
REACTOR PERFORMANCE AND UPGRADES
The Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute’s Approach Of Hydroprocessing Refinery Streams And Its Estimated Industrial Impact
Dr. Saleh Hashim Al Hashimi
Director Centre of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute
Commercial Experience In Reactor Scale-Up And Design Improvement And Alternative Reactor Development From Fundamentals
This presentation will illustrate the benefits of utilizing laboratory models in design and transfer of new reactors in a timely and economical manner.
Dr Cemal Ercan
Refinery Research Scientist
Saudi Aramco
MEETING DEMAND: OPTIMAL REFINING PROCESSES: THE CATALYSTS AND REACTORS
Meeting The Environmental Regulations: An Approach To Achieving Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel Khalifa Al Qallaf
Manager Technical Services
Al Shuaiba Refinery, KNPC
OTG Advanced Technologies: Refiner Solution
Sami Hussein Al Yami
Quality Assurance, Materials Engineer
Saudi Aramco
Manufacturing And Use Of New Catalysts: From Advanced Zolite Characterization To New Catalyst Manufacturing
L. Domokos, R. Haswell
Shell Research and Technology Centre
Shell Global Solutions
Advances In Hydrotreating Catalysts For Improved Refining Processes
Dr Ki-Hyouk Choi
Senior Scientist, R&D Center
Saudi Aramco
Chemistry And Catalysis To Meet Future Resid Upgrading Challenges
David Mc Namara
EMEAR Technical Manager, Resid, Technical Service Department
CRI/Criterion
Visit http://www.iqpc.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=50120&details=64108&langtype=1033 to find a number of other experts, as well as abstracts of the presentations.
Friday, September 11, 2009
PUBMED: A Surprising Resource
A name like “PUBMED” suggests medical research … and that is largely true. PubMed Central (PMC) (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/) is the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. But it also contains a surprisingly large number of articles relating to desulfurization. It is free, and it is worth a look. Although most are abstracts only, a number are available in full text, e.g., the following review …
Bacterial Degradation of Aromatic Compounds
Jong-Su Seo, Young-Soo Keum, and Qing X. Li
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009 January; 6(1): 278–309. Published online 2009 January 13. doi: 10.3390/ijerph6010278.
PMCID: PMC2672333
Copyright © 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.
1 Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
2 Current address: Analytical Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 100 Jangdong, Yuseonggu, Daejeon 305–343, Korea; E-Mail:jsseo@kitox.re.kr (J.-S.S.);
3 Current address: School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, San 56–1, Shinrim-9-dong, Kwanakgu, Seoul 151–742, Korea; E-mail:rational@snu.ac.kr (Y.-S.K.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mail:qingl@hawaii.edu; Tel.: +1-808-956-2011; Fax: +1-808–956–3542
Abstract
Aromatic compounds are among the most prevalent and persistent pollutants in the environment. Petroleum-contaminated soil and sediment commonly contain a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatics. Aromatics derived from industrial activities often have functional groups such as alkyls, halogens and nitro groups. Biodegradation is a major mechanism of removal of organic pollutants from a contaminated site. This review focuses on bacterial degradation pathways of selected aromatic compounds. Catabolic pathways of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene are described in detail. Bacterial catabolism of the heterocycles dibenzofuran, carbazole, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzodioxin is discussed. Bacterial catabolism of alkylated PAHs is summarized, followed by a brief discussion of proteomics and metabolomics as powerful tools for elucidation of biodegradation mechanisms.
Biodegradation is a very broad field and involves uses of a wide range of microorganisms to break chemical bonds. It has been well reviewed [1, 2], however, it is a very active field and new data are rapidly contributed to the literature. This review is focused on bacterial catabolic pathways of selected aromatic pollutants under aerobic culture conditions (Table 1). The selected aromatic pollutants include the PAHs naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene, the heterocycles dibenzofuran, carbazole, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzodioxin, and alkylated PAHs. Metabolomics and proteomics in elucidation of mechanisms of microbial degradation of aromatics are also briefly discussed.
source: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=2672333&blobtype=pdf&tool=pmcentrez
Bacterial Degradation of Aromatic Compounds
Jong-Su Seo, Young-Soo Keum, and Qing X. Li
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009 January; 6(1): 278–309. Published online 2009 January 13. doi: 10.3390/ijerph6010278.
PMCID: PMC2672333
Copyright © 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.
1 Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
2 Current address: Analytical Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 100 Jangdong, Yuseonggu, Daejeon 305–343, Korea; E-Mail:jsseo@kitox.re.kr (J.-S.S.);
3 Current address: School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, San 56–1, Shinrim-9-dong, Kwanakgu, Seoul 151–742, Korea; E-mail:rational@snu.ac.kr (Y.-S.K.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mail:qingl@hawaii.edu; Tel.: +1-808-956-2011; Fax: +1-808–956–3542
Abstract
Aromatic compounds are among the most prevalent and persistent pollutants in the environment. Petroleum-contaminated soil and sediment commonly contain a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatics. Aromatics derived from industrial activities often have functional groups such as alkyls, halogens and nitro groups. Biodegradation is a major mechanism of removal of organic pollutants from a contaminated site. This review focuses on bacterial degradation pathways of selected aromatic compounds. Catabolic pathways of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene are described in detail. Bacterial catabolism of the heterocycles dibenzofuran, carbazole, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzodioxin is discussed. Bacterial catabolism of alkylated PAHs is summarized, followed by a brief discussion of proteomics and metabolomics as powerful tools for elucidation of biodegradation mechanisms.
Biodegradation is a very broad field and involves uses of a wide range of microorganisms to break chemical bonds. It has been well reviewed [1, 2], however, it is a very active field and new data are rapidly contributed to the literature. This review is focused on bacterial catabolic pathways of selected aromatic pollutants under aerobic culture conditions (Table 1). The selected aromatic pollutants include the PAHs naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene, the heterocycles dibenzofuran, carbazole, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzodioxin, and alkylated PAHs. Metabolomics and proteomics in elucidation of mechanisms of microbial degradation of aromatics are also briefly discussed.
source: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=2672333&blobtype=pdf&tool=pmcentrez
Thursday, September 10, 2009
LinkedIn: An Expert Resource
There are thousands of brilliant minds working to solve technology problems, including the desulfurization conundrum. Finding a particular expert from among these thousands can be daunting. Fortunately, the Internet provides resources that can help, such as LinkedIn. A recent LinkedIn search for microbial biodesulfurization, for example, produced the following …
John Kilbane
Professor of Biology at Illinois Institute of Technology
Greater Chicago Area
Current•Professor of Biology at Illinois Institute of Technology
Past•Senior Scientist at QTEROS (formerly SunEthanol)
•Senior Scientist at Gas Technology Institute
•Senior Scientist at PETROGEN, INC
John Kilbane’s Experience
Professor of Biology
Illinois Institute of Technology
January 2007 — Present (2 years 9 months)
Manage and perform research concerning the application of biotechnology to solving various problems in the energy industry such as the biodesulfurization of petroleum, converting waste materials into biofuels (ethanol, butanol, methane, hydrogen, and biodiesel), metabolic engineering, and the microbiological sequestration of carbon dioxide.
View John Kilbane’s full LinkedIn profile at …
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-kilbane/14/28A/99A
John Kilbane
Professor of Biology at Illinois Institute of Technology
Greater Chicago Area
Current•Professor of Biology at Illinois Institute of Technology
Past•Senior Scientist at QTEROS (formerly SunEthanol)
•Senior Scientist at Gas Technology Institute
•Senior Scientist at PETROGEN, INC
John Kilbane’s Experience
Professor of Biology
Illinois Institute of Technology
January 2007 — Present (2 years 9 months)
Manage and perform research concerning the application of biotechnology to solving various problems in the energy industry such as the biodesulfurization of petroleum, converting waste materials into biofuels (ethanol, butanol, methane, hydrogen, and biodiesel), metabolic engineering, and the microbiological sequestration of carbon dioxide.
View John Kilbane’s full LinkedIn profile at …
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-kilbane/14/28A/99A
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Conference Alert: CIMTEC 2010
CIMTEC 2010 (http://www.cimtec-congress.org/2010/) - 12th International Conference on Modern Materials and Technologies will include a Fuel Cell Symposium. Desulfurization, of course, is a major concern in fuel cell research. Here are details from the CIMTEC 2010 Website ...
GENERAL OUTLINE
CIMTEC 2010 - 12th International Conference on Modern Materials and Technologies - will be held in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany, Italy, on June 6 to 18, 2010. CIMTEC 2010 will consist of the 12th International Ceramics Congress (June 6-11) and of the 5th Forum on New Materials (June 13-18), each of them including a number of Symposia, Focused Sessions, and Conferences. As a major long standing event for the international materials community, CIMTEC will again gather together a large and qualified audience of materials scientists, physicists, chemists and engineers as well as experts of a wide range of the most demanding application areas of modern materials, from information technology to biological systems. CIMTEC 2010 will devote special attention to most relevant directions for materials research based on new theory and refined modeling strategies and on the ever increasing opportunities offered by the continuous remarkable progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Outstanding areas of the subject will be covered, from the molecular and nanoscales to large complex integrated systems. Special focus of the Forum on New Materials will be to apply the new research findings to the development of a number of sustainable energy technologies from advanced fossil fuel energy cycles including CO2 sequestration, to nuclear energy, to photovoltaic power generation.
Symposium FC
Fuel Cells: Materials and Technology Challenges
Advisory Board
Invited Lectures
Deteriorating urban air-quality, growing dependence on insecure energy sources, and global warming are forcing the re-examination of conventional energy conversion systems throughout the world. Although new combustion technologies emit far less toxic pollutants comprising hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon mono-oxide and particulates than in the past, the increasing energy demand is resulting in growing insistence to reduce pollution. At present, motor vehicles account for about one-half of the total hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide pollution which combine to form ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog, that chokes many of the major urban centers of the world. However, the pollution level is also significantly influenced by stationary energy generation plants. This has brought in emission legislation all over the world, particularly in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, requiring the introduction of new energy conversion technologies and zero-emission vehicles. Among the various available electrochemical energy conversion systems fuel cell technology represents one of the most viable candidate solution to these drawbacks.
Fuel cells deliver energy at high efficiency by consuming electroactive chemicals that are supplied on-demand to the cell as in a conventional thermal combustion system.
The International Symposium “Fuel Cells: Materials and Technology Challenges”, through the contribution of experiences coming from several different disciplines, will focus major advances in materials science, processing and device manufacturing of the different fuel cell categories.
Original papers are solicited on all types of fuel cells. Of particular interest are recent developments of advanced fuel cell materials, novel fuel cell stack designs, emerging fuel cell technology, and optimization and breakthroughs in performance. Reviews of the state-of-the-art fuel cell performance for specific applications, including consumer devices, electric vehicles, and distributed energy systems, may also be submitted.
Contributions are invited in the following and related areas:
FC-1 Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)
Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Direct conversion of organic fuels in solid oxide fuel cells
Mixed reactant and single chamber SOFCs
Materials issues in solid oxide fuel cells
Demonstration of SOFC plants
FC-2 Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs)
PEFC stacks for automotive application
PEFC stacks for stationary generation
Membrane and electrocatalyst degradation in PEM fuel cells
FC-3 Solid-Polymer-Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (SPE-DMFCs).
Electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation
Methanol tolerant cathode electrocatalysts
Non-noble metal catalysts
Methanol impermeable membranes
DMFCs for portable applications
Mixed reactant and single chamber fuel cells
FC-4 Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs)
Anionic membranes
Non-noble metal electrocatalyts
FC-5 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs)
MCFC demonstration plants
Corrosion issues in MCFC
FC-6 State-of-the-art Application Engineering and Demonstrations
Combined heat and power (CHP)
Distributed power generation
Transport
Portable power
source: http://www.cimtec-congress.org/2010/symposium_fc.asp
GENERAL OUTLINE
CIMTEC 2010 - 12th International Conference on Modern Materials and Technologies - will be held in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany, Italy, on June 6 to 18, 2010. CIMTEC 2010 will consist of the 12th International Ceramics Congress (June 6-11) and of the 5th Forum on New Materials (June 13-18), each of them including a number of Symposia, Focused Sessions, and Conferences. As a major long standing event for the international materials community, CIMTEC will again gather together a large and qualified audience of materials scientists, physicists, chemists and engineers as well as experts of a wide range of the most demanding application areas of modern materials, from information technology to biological systems. CIMTEC 2010 will devote special attention to most relevant directions for materials research based on new theory and refined modeling strategies and on the ever increasing opportunities offered by the continuous remarkable progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Outstanding areas of the subject will be covered, from the molecular and nanoscales to large complex integrated systems. Special focus of the Forum on New Materials will be to apply the new research findings to the development of a number of sustainable energy technologies from advanced fossil fuel energy cycles including CO2 sequestration, to nuclear energy, to photovoltaic power generation.
Symposium FC
Fuel Cells: Materials and Technology Challenges
Advisory Board
Invited Lectures
Deteriorating urban air-quality, growing dependence on insecure energy sources, and global warming are forcing the re-examination of conventional energy conversion systems throughout the world. Although new combustion technologies emit far less toxic pollutants comprising hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon mono-oxide and particulates than in the past, the increasing energy demand is resulting in growing insistence to reduce pollution. At present, motor vehicles account for about one-half of the total hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide pollution which combine to form ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog, that chokes many of the major urban centers of the world. However, the pollution level is also significantly influenced by stationary energy generation plants. This has brought in emission legislation all over the world, particularly in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, requiring the introduction of new energy conversion technologies and zero-emission vehicles. Among the various available electrochemical energy conversion systems fuel cell technology represents one of the most viable candidate solution to these drawbacks.
Fuel cells deliver energy at high efficiency by consuming electroactive chemicals that are supplied on-demand to the cell as in a conventional thermal combustion system.
The International Symposium “Fuel Cells: Materials and Technology Challenges”, through the contribution of experiences coming from several different disciplines, will focus major advances in materials science, processing and device manufacturing of the different fuel cell categories.
Original papers are solicited on all types of fuel cells. Of particular interest are recent developments of advanced fuel cell materials, novel fuel cell stack designs, emerging fuel cell technology, and optimization and breakthroughs in performance. Reviews of the state-of-the-art fuel cell performance for specific applications, including consumer devices, electric vehicles, and distributed energy systems, may also be submitted.
Contributions are invited in the following and related areas:
FC-1 Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)
Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Direct conversion of organic fuels in solid oxide fuel cells
Mixed reactant and single chamber SOFCs
Materials issues in solid oxide fuel cells
Demonstration of SOFC plants
FC-2 Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs)
PEFC stacks for automotive application
PEFC stacks for stationary generation
Membrane and electrocatalyst degradation in PEM fuel cells
FC-3 Solid-Polymer-Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (SPE-DMFCs).
Electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation
Methanol tolerant cathode electrocatalysts
Non-noble metal catalysts
Methanol impermeable membranes
DMFCs for portable applications
Mixed reactant and single chamber fuel cells
FC-4 Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs)
Anionic membranes
Non-noble metal electrocatalyts
FC-5 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs)
MCFC demonstration plants
Corrosion issues in MCFC
FC-6 State-of-the-art Application Engineering and Demonstrations
Combined heat and power (CHP)
Distributed power generation
Transport
Portable power
source: http://www.cimtec-congress.org/2010/symposium_fc.asp
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Commercial Break: Thesis on Biodesulfurization
The thing about biodesulfurization is … it’s not cost effective. That is the issue addressed by this thesis, which is why it may be useful.
Sulfur-selective biodesulfurization of organosulfur compounds in model oils and distillate fractions
Thesis
Jantana Tangaromsuk
Mahidol University (2007)
“Biodesulfurization is an attractive method considered to be an alternative or complementary to hydrodesulfurization, helping refiners to cost-effectively meet new sulfur regulations. Over past decades, this technology has been investigated aggressively, but it has not yet been successfully commercialized. One problem is the cost of biocatalysts. To reduce the cost, microorganisms with sufficiently high activity and wide substrate specificity should be developed. The aims of this study were to isolate and select the desulfurizing microorganisms with high activity and broad substrate specificity, and to investigate mass production biocatalysts with high activity, which has the potential to reduce overall biocatalyst cost.
“In this study, bacteria, which could utilize organosulfur compounds as a sulfur source, were isolated from oil sludge and soil samples. DBT desulfurization activities of isolated strains were conducted. The strains with high activity were selected and identified by 16s rRNA sequencing. These strains were further studied for their substrate specificity by investigating the growth of the bacteria on various organosulfur compounds (i.e., BT, DBT, 3,4-benzoDBT, 4,6-DMDBT, methyl phenyl sulfide, phenyl sulfide and phenyl disulfide.) Biodesulfurization of these substrates by growing and resting cells of the bacteria was also conducted. In addition, biodesulfurization of crude oil and hydrodesulfurized diesel oil by the selected strain was also investigated.”
View the full text of the thesis at …
http://mulinet8.li.mahidol.ac.th/e-thesis/4536829.pdf
Sulfur-selective biodesulfurization of organosulfur compounds in model oils and distillate fractions
Thesis
Jantana Tangaromsuk
Mahidol University (2007)
“Biodesulfurization is an attractive method considered to be an alternative or complementary to hydrodesulfurization, helping refiners to cost-effectively meet new sulfur regulations. Over past decades, this technology has been investigated aggressively, but it has not yet been successfully commercialized. One problem is the cost of biocatalysts. To reduce the cost, microorganisms with sufficiently high activity and wide substrate specificity should be developed. The aims of this study were to isolate and select the desulfurizing microorganisms with high activity and broad substrate specificity, and to investigate mass production biocatalysts with high activity, which has the potential to reduce overall biocatalyst cost.
“In this study, bacteria, which could utilize organosulfur compounds as a sulfur source, were isolated from oil sludge and soil samples. DBT desulfurization activities of isolated strains were conducted. The strains with high activity were selected and identified by 16s rRNA sequencing. These strains were further studied for their substrate specificity by investigating the growth of the bacteria on various organosulfur compounds (i.e., BT, DBT, 3,4-benzoDBT, 4,6-DMDBT, methyl phenyl sulfide, phenyl sulfide and phenyl disulfide.) Biodesulfurization of these substrates by growing and resting cells of the bacteria was also conducted. In addition, biodesulfurization of crude oil and hydrodesulfurized diesel oil by the selected strain was also investigated.”
View the full text of the thesis at …
http://mulinet8.li.mahidol.ac.th/e-thesis/4536829.pdf
Monday, September 7, 2009
Google® Scholar Revisited
The dual purpose of this blog is to highlight resources we have found, and to offer tips you can use to make your own searches more effective. Today we revisit Google® Scholar. Google® Scholar has much to recommend it. In addition to its focus on scholarly articles, it also shows the number of times a given article has been cited by other scholarly articles. The cite number is one way to gauge the significance of particular work, as judged by the author’s peers.
For example, a recent search using the search string ...
Desulphurization selective polymeric adsorbents
resulted in the following hits, among many others ...
A new route towards deep desulfurization: selective charge transfer complex formation
V Meille, E Schulz, M Vrinat, M Lemaire - Chemical Communications, 1998 - rsc.org
... A new route towards deep desulfurization: selective charge transfer ... model molecules,
the possible selective complexation of ... to create a polymer containing such ...
Cited by 6 - Related articles - BL Direct - All 5 versions
Removing thiophenes from n-octane using PDMS–AgY zeolite mixed matrix membranes
R Qi, Y Wang, J Chen, J Li, S Zhu - Journal of Membrane Science, 2007 - Elsevier
... Incorporation of an adsorptive filler to the polymeric membrane can ... used for the
investigation on deep gasoline desulfurization by selective adsorption [14 ...
Cited by 9 - Related articles - All 4 versions
… Integration of Adsorption/Bioregeneration of [pi]-Complexation Adsorbent for Desulfurization
W Li, J Xing, X Xiong, J Huang, H Liu - Ind. Eng. Chem. Res, 2006 - pubs.acs.org
... Hernández-Maldonado, AJ; Yang, RT Desulfurization of Commercial ... of silver ions with
polymer containing C ... New Adsorbents for Purification: Selective Removal of ...
Cited by 3 - Related articles - All 4 versions
[CITATION] Adsorbents: fundamentals and applications
RT Yang
Cited by 205 - Related articles - All 4 versions
For example, a recent search using the search string ...
Desulphurization selective polymeric adsorbents
resulted in the following hits, among many others ...
A new route towards deep desulfurization: selective charge transfer complex formation
V Meille, E Schulz, M Vrinat, M Lemaire - Chemical Communications, 1998 - rsc.org
... A new route towards deep desulfurization: selective charge transfer ... model molecules,
the possible selective complexation of ... to create a polymer containing such ...
Cited by 6 - Related articles - BL Direct - All 5 versions
Removing thiophenes from n-octane using PDMS–AgY zeolite mixed matrix membranes
R Qi, Y Wang, J Chen, J Li, S Zhu - Journal of Membrane Science, 2007 - Elsevier
... Incorporation of an adsorptive filler to the polymeric membrane can ... used for the
investigation on deep gasoline desulfurization by selective adsorption [14 ...
Cited by 9 - Related articles - All 4 versions
… Integration of Adsorption/Bioregeneration of [pi]-Complexation Adsorbent for Desulfurization
W Li, J Xing, X Xiong, J Huang, H Liu - Ind. Eng. Chem. Res, 2006 - pubs.acs.org
... Hernández-Maldonado, AJ; Yang, RT Desulfurization of Commercial ... of silver ions with
polymer containing C ... New Adsorbents for Purification: Selective Removal of ...
Cited by 3 - Related articles - All 4 versions
[CITATION] Adsorbents: fundamentals and applications
RT Yang
Cited by 205 - Related articles - All 4 versions
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Internet ... ya gotta love it! (BioCyc.org)
The things you stumble over in the dark can be mind-bending. Take a look at BioCyc.org (http://biocyc.org/)
"Introduction to BioCyc
"The BioCyc collection of Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs) provides electronic reference sources on the pathways and genomes of different organisms. The databases (DBs) within the BioCyc collection are organized into tiers according to the amount of manual review and updating they have received.
"Tier 1 PGDBs have been created through intensive manual efforts, and receive continuous updating [details of Tier 1]. The BioCyc Tier 1 DBs are EcoCyc (Escherichia coli K-12) and MetaCyc (experimentally elucidated enzymes and metabolic pathways from more than 1,500 organisms.)
"Tier 2 PGDBs were computationally generated by the PathoLogic program, and have undergone moderate amounts of review and updating. [details of Tier 2]
"Tier 3 PGDBs were computationally generated by the PathoLogic program, and have undergone no review and updating. There are 482 DBs in Tier 3. [details of Tier 3]
"Looking for pathway databases for other organisms? PGDBs have been created outside SRI for many organisms [details].
"BioCyc Tools
"Scientists can use the BioCyc Web site to visualize individual metabolic pathways, or to view the complete metabolic map of an organism [example]. The latter diagram can be used to analyze gene expression, proteomics, or metabolomics data using the Omics Viewers, such as to produce animated views of time-course gene-expression experiments [example]. The BioCyc Web site also provides genome browsing capabilities [example], and for the EcoCyc DB in particular, provides extensive information about transcriptional mechanisms of gene regulation [example]. BioCyc also provides comparative analysis tools (see Tools -> Comparative Analysis in the toolbar)"
source: http://biocyc.org/
A search for desulfurization produced the following ...
MetaCyc Pathway: dibenzothiophene desulfurization
http://biocyc.org/META/NEW-IMAGE?object=PWY-681
"Introduction to BioCyc
"The BioCyc collection of Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs) provides electronic reference sources on the pathways and genomes of different organisms. The databases (DBs) within the BioCyc collection are organized into tiers according to the amount of manual review and updating they have received.
"Tier 1 PGDBs have been created through intensive manual efforts, and receive continuous updating [details of Tier 1]. The BioCyc Tier 1 DBs are EcoCyc (Escherichia coli K-12) and MetaCyc (experimentally elucidated enzymes and metabolic pathways from more than 1,500 organisms.)
"Tier 2 PGDBs were computationally generated by the PathoLogic program, and have undergone moderate amounts of review and updating. [details of Tier 2]
"Tier 3 PGDBs were computationally generated by the PathoLogic program, and have undergone no review and updating. There are 482 DBs in Tier 3. [details of Tier 3]
"Looking for pathway databases for other organisms? PGDBs have been created outside SRI for many organisms [details].
"BioCyc Tools
"Scientists can use the BioCyc Web site to visualize individual metabolic pathways, or to view the complete metabolic map of an organism [example]. The latter diagram can be used to analyze gene expression, proteomics, or metabolomics data using the Omics Viewers, such as to produce animated views of time-course gene-expression experiments [example]. The BioCyc Web site also provides genome browsing capabilities [example], and for the EcoCyc DB in particular, provides extensive information about transcriptional mechanisms of gene regulation [example]. BioCyc also provides comparative analysis tools (see Tools -> Comparative Analysis in the toolbar)"
source: http://biocyc.org/
A search for desulfurization produced the following ...
MetaCyc Pathway: dibenzothiophene desulfurization
http://biocyc.org/META/NEW-IMAGE?object=PWY-681
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Statistics
The U.S. Energy Information Administration - Petroleum Portal (http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/info_glance/petroleum.html) presents statistics that you might find thought-provoking, and … who knows … maybe even useful.
Enter desulfurization as a search term in the web site’s search box and you will find …
Downstream Charge Capacity of Operable Petroleum Refineries – Catalytic Hydrotreating/Desulfurization (Barrels per Stream Day) (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_capchg_a_(na)_8cd0_BSD_a.htm)
Enter desulfurization as a search term in the web site’s search box and you will find …
Downstream Charge Capacity of Operable Petroleum Refineries – Catalytic Hydrotreating/Desulfurization (Barrels per Stream Day) (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_capchg_a_(na)_8cd0_BSD_a.htm)
Friday, September 4, 2009
Casting for Keywords
“Basic research is like shooting an arrow into the air and, where it lands, painting a target.”
Homer Burton Adkins
Whenever I find a promising article, I make a note of the keywords and add them to a running list I have compiled from previous searches. For example, a recent search of Google Scholar using the following search phrase …
"Selective Adsorption" "Removal of Sulfur" 2009
resulted in the following cite …
Catalysis Today
Article in Press, Corrected Proof - Note to users
Deep desulfurization of model gasoline by selective adsorption on Ag+/Al-MSU-S
Chunmei Menga, Yunming Fanga, Lijun Jina and Haoquan Hu, a,
Keywords: Selective desulfurization; Model gasoline; Thiophene; Dibenzothiophene; Ag+/Al-MSU-S; π-Complexation
source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TFG-4VYW6BW-6&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1000236874&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=fbef165216e1abaffb3dc9fc622f4ae0
Some of the keywords were already on my list … a couple were not, but they are now.
Homer Burton Adkins
Whenever I find a promising article, I make a note of the keywords and add them to a running list I have compiled from previous searches. For example, a recent search of Google Scholar using the following search phrase …
"Selective Adsorption" "Removal of Sulfur" 2009
resulted in the following cite …
Catalysis Today
Article in Press, Corrected Proof - Note to users
Deep desulfurization of model gasoline by selective adsorption on Ag+/Al-MSU-S
Chunmei Menga, Yunming Fanga, Lijun Jina and Haoquan Hu, a,
Keywords: Selective desulfurization; Model gasoline; Thiophene; Dibenzothiophene; Ag+/Al-MSU-S; π-Complexation
source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TFG-4VYW6BW-6&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1000236874&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=fbef165216e1abaffb3dc9fc622f4ae0
Some of the keywords were already on my list … a couple were not, but they are now.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be research, would it?"
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be research, would it?"
Albert Einstein
This quote always perks me up, especially when it seems like I am going nowhere, and making good time getting there.
But today was different. I ran across the following …
AIChE Annual Meeting 2009
Nanoscale Materials as Catalysts II
Monday, November 9, 2009: 3:15 PM
Lincoln C (Gaylord Opryland Hotel)
source: http://aiche.confex.com/aiche/2009/webprogram/Session10100.html
Browsing the scheduled presentations, I picked out a couple of interesting key words, including “nanoscale” and “catalysis.” Following the more interesting Google® and Yahoo!® links led me to …
Olga B Koper
Vice President Technology & Technical Services, Chief Technology Officer
NanoScale Corporation
1310 Research Park Dr
Manhattan, KS 66502
Fax: 785-537-0226
olga@nanoactive.com
Searching for “Olga B Koper” led to the following impressive bio …
“As the first full time employee of NanoScale, joining the company in 1996, she played a key role in the start-up and growth of the company that currently employs 50 associates.
“Koper has developed her experience in the synthesis and optimization of novel reactive nanomaterials for chemical and bio related applications, including environmental remediation, odor control and destruction
of chemical and biological warfare agents
“She has authored and co-authored more than 20 papers and co-holds 17 patents for composition and applications of nanomaterials”
source: http://www.kansasbio.org/news/events/08biokit/bigthinkers.htm
In 2008, Ms. Koper co-authored a presentation summarized below …
“NanoActive materials are metal oxide aggregates that possess very large surface areas, defect-rich morphology, large porosities, and small crystallite sizes. This combination of properties results in extremely high reactivity including both enhanced reaction kinetics and large capacities. These materials have shown utility in both consumer and military applications. Of particular importance is the destructive adsorption of various toxic and odorous compounds, air and water filtration, as well as removal of heavy metals and sulfur species. In addition, novel metal oxide formulations with the unique ability to neutralize toxic chemicals as well as biological organisms were developed. Several of oxides have been shown to possess considerable biocidal activity against the opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with applications in antimicrobial paints and coatings. Consumer products based on these materials include chemical spill control systems and odor neutralization systems.”
Source: http://membership.acs.org/i/iec/docs/23_IEC_S.pdf
According to the NanoScale Corporation Web (http://www.nanoscalecorp.com/ ) …
“Dr. Koper holds a Master of Sciences degree in general chemistry from Silesian University in Katowice, Poland. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in inorganic chemistry from Kansas State University with specialization in reactive metal oxide nanoparticles. She joined NanoScale as Senior Scientist in 1996 and has progressed through a series of key management leadership positions as Director of Research and Development, Senior Director of Technical Services, Senior Director of Technology and Technical Services, and Vice President of Technology and Technical Services. For more than a decade Dr. Koper has worked in the areas of nanochemistry research and commercialization. She is an expert in the synthesis and optimization of novel reactive nanomaterials comprised of metals, metal oxides, organometallic compounds, and various combinations thereof. Dr. Koper has authored and co-authored over twenty papers and co-holds eightteen patents related to the synthesis characterization and application of nanoparticles. She is active in numerous professional organizations and an expert presenter on the subject of reactive “
source: http://www.nanoscalecorp.com/content.php/company/leadership/
One of the patents for which she is listed as a co-inventor is …
US Patent 7335808 - Method for biological and chemical contamination
US Patent Issued on February 26, 2008
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: September 9, 2023
Abstract
Compositions
and methods for destroying biological agents such as toxins and bacteria are provided wherein the substance to be destroyed is contacted with finely divided metal oxide or hydroxide nanocrystals. In various embodiments, the metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals have reactive atoms stabilized on their surfaces, species adsorbed on their surfaces, or are coated with a second metal oxide. The desired metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals can be pressed into pellets for use when a powder is not feasible. Preferred metal oxides for the methods include MgO, SrO, BaO, CaO, TiO2, ZrO2, FeO, V2O3, V2O5, Mn2O3, Fe2O3, NiO, CuO, Al2O3, SiO2, ZnO, Ag2O, [Ce(NO3)3—Cu(NO3)2]TiO2, Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, Al(OH)3, Sr(OH)2, Ba(OH)2, Fe(OH)3, Cu(OH)3, Ni(OH)2, Co(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, AgOH, and mixtures thereof
Inventors
Koper, Olga
Klabunde, Kenneth J.
Martin, Lisa S.
Knappenberger, Kyle B.
Hladky, Laura L.
Decker, Shawn P.
Assignee
NanoScale Corporation
If you are looking for a practical application of nanotech to the desulfurization problem, you could do worse than monitoring the progress of NanoScale Corporation in general, and of Olga B. Koper in particular.
Albert Einstein
This quote always perks me up, especially when it seems like I am going nowhere, and making good time getting there.
But today was different. I ran across the following …
AIChE Annual Meeting 2009
Nanoscale Materials as Catalysts II
Monday, November 9, 2009: 3:15 PM
Lincoln C (Gaylord Opryland Hotel)
source: http://aiche.confex.com/aiche/2009/webprogram/Session10100.html
Browsing the scheduled presentations, I picked out a couple of interesting key words, including “nanoscale” and “catalysis.” Following the more interesting Google® and Yahoo!® links led me to …
Olga B Koper
Vice President Technology & Technical Services, Chief Technology Officer
NanoScale Corporation
1310 Research Park Dr
Manhattan, KS 66502
Fax: 785-537-0226
olga@nanoactive.com
Searching for “Olga B Koper” led to the following impressive bio …
“As the first full time employee of NanoScale, joining the company in 1996, she played a key role in the start-up and growth of the company that currently employs 50 associates.
“Koper has developed her experience in the synthesis and optimization of novel reactive nanomaterials for chemical and bio related applications, including environmental remediation, odor control and destruction
of chemical and biological warfare agents
“She has authored and co-authored more than 20 papers and co-holds 17 patents for composition and applications of nanomaterials”
source: http://www.kansasbio.org/news/events/08biokit/bigthinkers.htm
In 2008, Ms. Koper co-authored a presentation summarized below …
“NanoActive materials are metal oxide aggregates that possess very large surface areas, defect-rich morphology, large porosities, and small crystallite sizes. This combination of properties results in extremely high reactivity including both enhanced reaction kinetics and large capacities. These materials have shown utility in both consumer and military applications. Of particular importance is the destructive adsorption of various toxic and odorous compounds, air and water filtration, as well as removal of heavy metals and sulfur species. In addition, novel metal oxide formulations with the unique ability to neutralize toxic chemicals as well as biological organisms were developed. Several of oxides have been shown to possess considerable biocidal activity against the opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with applications in antimicrobial paints and coatings. Consumer products based on these materials include chemical spill control systems and odor neutralization systems.”
Source: http://membership.acs.org/i/iec/docs/23_IEC_S.pdf
According to the NanoScale Corporation Web (http://www.nanoscalecorp.com/ ) …
“Dr. Koper holds a Master of Sciences degree in general chemistry from Silesian University in Katowice, Poland. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in inorganic chemistry from Kansas State University with specialization in reactive metal oxide nanoparticles. She joined NanoScale as Senior Scientist in 1996 and has progressed through a series of key management leadership positions as Director of Research and Development, Senior Director of Technical Services, Senior Director of Technology and Technical Services, and Vice President of Technology and Technical Services. For more than a decade Dr. Koper has worked in the areas of nanochemistry research and commercialization. She is an expert in the synthesis and optimization of novel reactive nanomaterials comprised of metals, metal oxides, organometallic compounds, and various combinations thereof. Dr. Koper has authored and co-authored over twenty papers and co-holds eightteen patents related to the synthesis characterization and application of nanoparticles. She is active in numerous professional organizations and an expert presenter on the subject of reactive “
source: http://www.nanoscalecorp.com/content.php/company/leadership/
One of the patents for which she is listed as a co-inventor is …
US Patent 7335808 - Method for biological and chemical contamination
US Patent Issued on February 26, 2008
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: September 9, 2023
Abstract
Compositions
and methods for destroying biological agents such as toxins and bacteria are provided wherein the substance to be destroyed is contacted with finely divided metal oxide or hydroxide nanocrystals. In various embodiments, the metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals have reactive atoms stabilized on their surfaces, species adsorbed on their surfaces, or are coated with a second metal oxide. The desired metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals can be pressed into pellets for use when a powder is not feasible. Preferred metal oxides for the methods include MgO, SrO, BaO, CaO, TiO2, ZrO2, FeO, V2O3, V2O5, Mn2O3, Fe2O3, NiO, CuO, Al2O3, SiO2, ZnO, Ag2O, [Ce(NO3)3—Cu(NO3)2]TiO2, Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, Al(OH)3, Sr(OH)2, Ba(OH)2, Fe(OH)3, Cu(OH)3, Ni(OH)2, Co(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, AgOH, and mixtures thereof
Inventors
Koper, Olga
Klabunde, Kenneth J.
Martin, Lisa S.
Knappenberger, Kyle B.
Hladky, Laura L.
Decker, Shawn P.
Assignee
NanoScale Corporation
If you are looking for a practical application of nanotech to the desulfurization problem, you could do worse than monitoring the progress of NanoScale Corporation in general, and of Olga B. Koper in particular.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Bookmark Tip: North American Catalysis Society
Looking for conferences? Bookmark the North American Catalysis Society (NACS) Calendar (http://www.nacatsoc.org/calendar.asp), which lists catalysis conferences as far into the future as 2014, including the following …
Aug 30 - Sept 4, 2009 Salamanca, Spain
EuropaCat IX - Catalysis for a Sustainable World
Web Site: EuropaCat IX
Contact: europacat.secretariat@universitas.usal.es
Oct 18-22, 2009 Intercontinental Hotel - Prague, Czech Republic
IASH 2009, the 11th International Conference on Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels
Web site: IASH 2009
March 21-25, 2010 San Francisco, CA
239th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
May 30 - June 3, 2010 Lyon, France
NGCS 9 - 9th Novel Gas Conversion Symposium. C1-C4 chemistry: from fossil to bio resources
Web Site: www.ngcb.org
Contact: ngcs9@ngcb.org
Aug 22-26, 2010 Boston, MA
240th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 27-31, 2011 Anaheim, CA
241th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Aug 28-Sept 1, 2011 Chicago, IL
242th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 25-29, 2012 San Diego, CA
243th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Sept 9-13, 2012 New York, NY
244th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 7-11, 2013 New Orleans, LA
245th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Sept 8-12, 2013 Indianapolis, IN
246th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 16-20, 2014 Washington, DC (Pending Approval)
247th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Sept 7-11, 2014 San Francisco, CA (Pending Approval)
248th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Aug 30 - Sept 4, 2009 Salamanca, Spain
EuropaCat IX - Catalysis for a Sustainable World
Web Site: EuropaCat IX
Contact: europacat.secretariat@universitas.usal.es
Oct 18-22, 2009 Intercontinental Hotel - Prague, Czech Republic
IASH 2009, the 11th International Conference on Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels
Web site: IASH 2009
March 21-25, 2010 San Francisco, CA
239th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
May 30 - June 3, 2010 Lyon, France
NGCS 9 - 9th Novel Gas Conversion Symposium. C1-C4 chemistry: from fossil to bio resources
Web Site: www.ngcb.org
Contact: ngcs9@ngcb.org
Aug 22-26, 2010 Boston, MA
240th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 27-31, 2011 Anaheim, CA
241th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Aug 28-Sept 1, 2011 Chicago, IL
242th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 25-29, 2012 San Diego, CA
243th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Sept 9-13, 2012 New York, NY
244th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 7-11, 2013 New Orleans, LA
245th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Sept 8-12, 2013 Indianapolis, IN
246th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
March 16-20, 2014 Washington, DC (Pending Approval)
247th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Sept 7-11, 2014 San Francisco, CA (Pending Approval)
248th ACS National Meetings & Expositions
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2009 AIChE Annual Meeting
2009 AIChE Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN, November 8-13, 2009 will feature several presentations that address desulfurization issues directly. Searching the following URL for “desulfurization” …
http://aiche.confex.com/aiche/2009/webprogrampreliminary/
results in the following list …
Inexpensive Oxidative Desulfurization of Middle Distillate Fuels for Portable Power Applications (2009 Annual Meeting)
Reformates Desulfurization Using Regenerable Sorbent for Logistic SOFC Power Units (2009 Annual Meeting)
Adsorptive Desulfurization of Diesel (2009 Annual Meeting)
Integration of CFD and Experimental-Based Design and Development of Fluidized-Bed-Reactor-Based Processes (2009 Annual Meeting)
Novel Sorbents for Wide Temperature H2S /COS Removal in Fuel Cell Applications (2009 Annual Meeting)
Sulfur Selectivity of Ag/TiO2 Sorbents and the Effects of Fuel Chemistry (2009 Annual Meeting)
Removal of NOx, SO2 and Hg From Flue Gases by Combinative Processes Involving Aqueous Strong Oxidants and Sonochemical Methods (2009 Annual Meeting)
Session: Nanoscale Materials as Catalysts II (2009 Annual Meeting)
http://aiche.confex.com/aiche/2009/webprogrampreliminary/
results in the following list …
Inexpensive Oxidative Desulfurization of Middle Distillate Fuels for Portable Power Applications (2009 Annual Meeting)
Reformates Desulfurization Using Regenerable Sorbent for Logistic SOFC Power Units (2009 Annual Meeting)
Adsorptive Desulfurization of Diesel (2009 Annual Meeting)
Integration of CFD and Experimental-Based Design and Development of Fluidized-Bed-Reactor-Based Processes (2009 Annual Meeting)
Novel Sorbents for Wide Temperature H2S /COS Removal in Fuel Cell Applications (2009 Annual Meeting)
Sulfur Selectivity of Ag/TiO2 Sorbents and the Effects of Fuel Chemistry (2009 Annual Meeting)
Removal of NOx, SO2 and Hg From Flue Gases by Combinative Processes Involving Aqueous Strong Oxidants and Sonochemical Methods (2009 Annual Meeting)
Session: Nanoscale Materials as Catalysts II (2009 Annual Meeting)
GlobalData Report
It’s always good to know what’s happening in the desulfurization industry. A report just published by GlobalData can help …
Global Refining Industry to 2013: Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts of All Active and Planned Refineries
Published August 2009 by GlobalData
Price: $8000 ($5600 if ordered before 4 September 2009)
Its advertisement claims …
“This Report Will Provide You With...
• Detailed information and analysis on refining capacities, margins, market shares of key companies and competitive scenario in the global refining market
• Crude distillation and other major unit capacities of 660 active and 61 planned refineries
• Annual information covering historic data from 2000 to 2008 and forecasts till 2013
• Information on refineries in 115 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and South and Central America
• Refining, coking, fluid catalytic cracking and hydrocracking capacity market share of the key companies globally and in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and South and Central America
• Analysis of the operations of the major refining companies including ExxonMobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, ConocoPhillips, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A, Eni S.p.A and LUKOIL Oil Company”
Read more at …
http://www.globaldata.com/static/090819_GDSO_Global_Refining_Industry_to_2013.html
[Ed. Note: we have no ties of any kind to GlobalData]
Global Refining Industry to 2013: Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts of All Active and Planned Refineries
Published August 2009 by GlobalData
Price: $8000 ($5600 if ordered before 4 September 2009)
Its advertisement claims …
“This Report Will Provide You With...
• Detailed information and analysis on refining capacities, margins, market shares of key companies and competitive scenario in the global refining market
• Crude distillation and other major unit capacities of 660 active and 61 planned refineries
• Annual information covering historic data from 2000 to 2008 and forecasts till 2013
• Information on refineries in 115 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and South and Central America
• Refining, coking, fluid catalytic cracking and hydrocracking capacity market share of the key companies globally and in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and South and Central America
• Analysis of the operations of the major refining companies including ExxonMobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, ConocoPhillips, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A, Eni S.p.A and LUKOIL Oil Company”
Read more at …
http://www.globaldata.com/static/090819_GDSO_Global_Refining_Industry_to_2013.html
[Ed. Note: we have no ties of any kind to GlobalData]
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