Many of the requests I handled during my tenure with the Saudi Aramco enterprise was for the names of experts in specific technologies. An excellent starting point for identification of experts is a technical article database like Academic Search Complete.
Searching Academic Search Complete using the term “desulfurization” turns up a large number of recent technical articles. And in addition to the cite and abstract of each article, the list of author(s) of the article often include an email address.
Here, for example, are four recent articles on the desulfurization topic. You will note that each of them includes the email address of one of the authors.
APPLICATION OF NEW ZRO2-SBA-15 MATERIALS AS CATALYTIC SUPPORTS: STUDY OF INTRINSIC ACTIVITY OF MO CATALYSTS IN DEEP HDS.
Authors:Gutiérrez, Oliver Y.1
Ayala, Erika1
Puente, Ivan1
Klimova, Tatiana1 klimova@servidor.unam.mx
Source:Chemical Engineering Communications; Oct2009, Vol. 196 Issue 10, p1163-1177, 15p, 3 charts, 5 graphs
Efficient oxidation of thiophene derivatives with homogeneous and heterogeneous MTO/H2O2 systems: A novel approach for, oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of diesel fuel.
Authors:Di Giuseppe, Andrea1
Crucianelli, Marcello1 marcello.crucianelli@univaq.it
De Angelis, Francesco1
Crestini, Claudia2
Saladino, Raffaele3 saladino@unitus.it
Source:Applied Catalysis B: Environmental; Jul2009, Vol. 89 Issue 1/2, p239-245, 7p
Efficient oxidation of thiophene derivatives with homogeneous and heterogeneous MTO/H2O2 systems: A novel approach for, oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of diesel fuel.
Authors:Di Giuseppe, Andrea1
Crucianelli, Marcello1 marcello.crucianelli@univaq.it
De Angelis, Francesco1
Crestini, Claudia2
Saladino, Raffaele3 saladino@unitus.it
Source:Applied Catalysis B: Environmental; Jul2009, Vol. 89 Issue 1/2, p239-245, 7p
Removal of hazardous gaseous pollutants from industrial flue gases by a novel multi-stage fluidized bed desulfurizer
Authors:Mohanty, C.R.1
Adapala, Sivaji2
Meikap, B.C.2 bcmeikap@che.iitkgp.ernet.in
Source:Journal of Hazardous Materials; Jun2009, Vol. 165 Issue 1-3, p427-434, 8p
If you have access to Academic Search Complete or a similar database, try mining it for experts.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Major Majors
Major oil companies, like ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, and Saudi Aramco, are famously close-mouthed about their activities, and for good reason … none of them wants the competition to know what they’re up to.
At the same time, they all want to be viewed by the world at large as being on the cutting edge of technology as they strive to supply our insatiable demand for hydrocarbon products. Toward this end, they produce publicly available magazines and journals with all kinds of information that, when analyzed, can create a good picture of where they are focusing their resources.
Case in point … Saudi Aramco. Saudi Aramco is a national oil company, which adds a dimension to their activities beyond that of a major like ExxonMobil. You can get a sense of the connection between government and economic entities by visiting http://www.planning.gov.sa/home/Home/English/, where you will find Future Vision for Saudi Economy. This site links to another page, reproduced below ….
Research and Development
Saudi Aramco's new Research and Development Center in Dhahran is a blend of traditional and modern architectural styles.
The Research and Development Center reflects the company's continuing and expanding commitment to the future of petroleum research, to development in the Kingdom, and to achievement in research. This new facility will enable scientists and engineers to effect a shift in focus from service orientation to a blend of specialized services and applied research.
"Research and development work is not new to us at Saudi Aramco. What's new about this project is that it provides a better work environment for the scientists of our company to help unleash their innovation and creativity. The nature and size of our oil fields and the huge magnitude of our operations as the largest integrated petroleum company in the world, and the operational challenges that we face during the execution of our activities, pose unique challenges and require solutions that cannot be brought in from somewhere else in the world." - Saudi Aramco President and CEO Abdallah S. Jum'ah.
Source: http://www.planning.gov.sa/home/Home/English/Key%20topics/Energy/Documents/Oil%20And%20GasE/oil%20and%20gase8.htm
Since Saudi Aramco, like other majors, is becoming increasingly interested in heavy crude, which has a high sulfur content, you might find it useful to bookmark the two following official, publicly available Saudi Aramco publications, to follow how this organization is dealing with the desulfurization issue.
Saudi Aramco Dimensions
http://www.saudiaramco.com/irj/portal/anonymous
Saudi Aramco Journal of Technology
http://www.saudiaramco.com/irj/portal/anonymous?favlnk=%2FSaudiAramcoPublic%2Fdocs%2FNews+Room%2FPublications%2FJournal+of+Technology&ln=en
At the same time, they all want to be viewed by the world at large as being on the cutting edge of technology as they strive to supply our insatiable demand for hydrocarbon products. Toward this end, they produce publicly available magazines and journals with all kinds of information that, when analyzed, can create a good picture of where they are focusing their resources.
Case in point … Saudi Aramco. Saudi Aramco is a national oil company, which adds a dimension to their activities beyond that of a major like ExxonMobil. You can get a sense of the connection between government and economic entities by visiting http://www.planning.gov.sa/home/Home/English/, where you will find Future Vision for Saudi Economy. This site links to another page, reproduced below ….
Research and Development
Saudi Aramco's new Research and Development Center in Dhahran is a blend of traditional and modern architectural styles.
The Research and Development Center reflects the company's continuing and expanding commitment to the future of petroleum research, to development in the Kingdom, and to achievement in research. This new facility will enable scientists and engineers to effect a shift in focus from service orientation to a blend of specialized services and applied research.
"Research and development work is not new to us at Saudi Aramco. What's new about this project is that it provides a better work environment for the scientists of our company to help unleash their innovation and creativity. The nature and size of our oil fields and the huge magnitude of our operations as the largest integrated petroleum company in the world, and the operational challenges that we face during the execution of our activities, pose unique challenges and require solutions that cannot be brought in from somewhere else in the world." - Saudi Aramco President and CEO Abdallah S. Jum'ah.
Source: http://www.planning.gov.sa/home/Home/English/Key%20topics/Energy/Documents/Oil%20And%20GasE/oil%20and%20gase8.htm
Since Saudi Aramco, like other majors, is becoming increasingly interested in heavy crude, which has a high sulfur content, you might find it useful to bookmark the two following official, publicly available Saudi Aramco publications, to follow how this organization is dealing with the desulfurization issue.
Saudi Aramco Dimensions
http://www.saudiaramco.com/irj/portal/anonymous
Saudi Aramco Journal of Technology
http://www.saudiaramco.com/irj/portal/anonymous?favlnk=%2FSaudiAramcoPublic%2Fdocs%2FNews+Room%2FPublications%2FJournal+of+Technology&ln=en
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Diving for Pearls: Pearl Gas-to-Liquids Plant, Ras Laffan, Qatar
Pearl Gas-to-Liquids Plant, Ras Laffan, Qatar
No research organization is more innovative in the pursuit of desulfurization technology than Shell Global Solutions. Just take a look at the project described below, for example …
Under the development and production sharing agreement with the government of the state of Qatar, the fully integrated Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) project is being developed in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Shell is sourcing funds for this project from its internal accruals. The production from the first Pearl GTL train is to begin in the last quarter of 2010.
Pearl GTL opens a new global market for Qatari natural gas and allows Qatar to contribute constructively to improve the local environment by supplying a cleaner alternative transport fuel. Shell has extensive expertise in all aspects of the gas-to-liquids (GTL) value chain.
Gas-to-Liquids technology
The technology that supports the two-train Pearl GTL plant is called Shell middle distillate synthesis (SMDS). Proved and tested at Bintulu GTL plant (1993) in Malaysia, this technology evolved over three decades of research and development by Shell. The Bintulu GTL Plant has the capacity to produce 14,700 barrels a day (bpd). SMDS helps in reduction of capital expenditure and allows for faster processing. This technology will enable Shell to increase the production capacity of Pearl GTL.
"The fully integrated Pearl GTL project is being developed in Ras Laffan, Qatar."Cleaner fuel
GTL is sulphur free, colourless and odourless. It is considered as a cleaner burning fuel than motor diesel.
Tests conducted by Shell in cooperation with Toyota, Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler at different cities proved that GTL fuel emitted fewer polluting emissions than standard diesel.
source: http://www.chemicals-technology.com/projects/pearl-gtl/
No research organization is more innovative in the pursuit of desulfurization technology than Shell Global Solutions. Just take a look at the project described below, for example …
Under the development and production sharing agreement with the government of the state of Qatar, the fully integrated Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) project is being developed in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Shell is sourcing funds for this project from its internal accruals. The production from the first Pearl GTL train is to begin in the last quarter of 2010.
Pearl GTL opens a new global market for Qatari natural gas and allows Qatar to contribute constructively to improve the local environment by supplying a cleaner alternative transport fuel. Shell has extensive expertise in all aspects of the gas-to-liquids (GTL) value chain.
Gas-to-Liquids technology
The technology that supports the two-train Pearl GTL plant is called Shell middle distillate synthesis (SMDS). Proved and tested at Bintulu GTL plant (1993) in Malaysia, this technology evolved over three decades of research and development by Shell. The Bintulu GTL Plant has the capacity to produce 14,700 barrels a day (bpd). SMDS helps in reduction of capital expenditure and allows for faster processing. This technology will enable Shell to increase the production capacity of Pearl GTL.
"The fully integrated Pearl GTL project is being developed in Ras Laffan, Qatar."Cleaner fuel
GTL is sulphur free, colourless and odourless. It is considered as a cleaner burning fuel than motor diesel.
Tests conducted by Shell in cooperation with Toyota, Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler at different cities proved that GTL fuel emitted fewer polluting emissions than standard diesel.
source: http://www.chemicals-technology.com/projects/pearl-gtl/
Bridge to Somewhere
One of the ongoing challenges in the desulfurization arena is bridging the gap from cutting edge research to real world application. Building this bridge is what the Argonne National Laboratory is all about. Here is one example …
Integrated Fuel Technologies Gets Worldwide License for Argonne-Developed Diesel DeNOx Catalyst
Technology reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by stunning 95 percent
A new, patented catalyst developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory to reliably and economically reduce 95 to 100 percent of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel-fueled engines has been licensed to Integrated Fuel Technologies, Inc. (IFT), a start-up company based in Kirkland, Wash.
IFT plans to integrate the technology – named Diesel DeNOx Catalyst – into the firm's existing products that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, said IFT president Robert Firebaugh. The products could be sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
For More Information
For technical information, contact Dr. Christopher Marshall (630-252-4310, marshall@anl.gov). Media please contact Angela Hardin (630/252-5501 or ahardin@anl.gov).
source: http://www.cmt.anl.gov/Catalysis_and_Energy_Conversion/Denox_Catalyst.shtml
Granted, this particular example is not directly related to desulfurization, but you can bet they are working on that problem, as well.
Integrated Fuel Technologies Gets Worldwide License for Argonne-Developed Diesel DeNOx Catalyst
Technology reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by stunning 95 percent
A new, patented catalyst developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory to reliably and economically reduce 95 to 100 percent of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel-fueled engines has been licensed to Integrated Fuel Technologies, Inc. (IFT), a start-up company based in Kirkland, Wash.
IFT plans to integrate the technology – named Diesel DeNOx Catalyst – into the firm's existing products that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, said IFT president Robert Firebaugh. The products could be sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
For More Information
For technical information, contact Dr. Christopher Marshall (630-252-4310, marshall@anl.gov). Media please contact Angela Hardin (630/252-5501 or ahardin@anl.gov).
source: http://www.cmt.anl.gov/Catalysis_and_Energy_Conversion/Denox_Catalyst.shtml
Granted, this particular example is not directly related to desulfurization, but you can bet they are working on that problem, as well.
CoMoCat
Thin walled carbon nanotubes have shown promise as a means of desulfurization. (See, for example, the article cited at the end of this blog entry.) The high cost of manufacturing such nanotubes, however, has made the economics of this type of desulfurization prohibitive.
That’s why the work of Carbon Nanotubes Research @ Oklahoma State University is so fascinating. According to their Web site …
“At the University of Oklahoma we pointed out that the catalytic decomposition method was suitable for scaling up and for achieving a "controlled production" of SWNT. By this we implied the ability to control the selectivity towards SWNT by changing catalyst parameters and operating conditions, all combined with the ability to obtain a reliable quantitative measurement of the amount of SWNT produced.
“For the last 8 years we have been performing research on the development and optimization of a cost effective method that we named CoMoCat process. Our expertise in heterogeneous catalysis allowed us to tailor the material in such a way that selectivity and yield are maximized. The method employed involves disproportionation of CO at moderate pressure and temperature, which results in a scalable, cost-effective process.”
Read more at: http://www.ou.edu/engineering/nanotube/home.html
READ an article describing the carbon nanotube potential at …
Study of Dibenzothiophene Adsorption Over Carbon Nanotube Supported CoMo HDS Catalysts, Journal of Natural Gas Chemistry 13(2004)209-217, Haiyang Chen, Xichen Zhou, Hongyan Shang, Chenguang Liu, Jieshan Qiu, Fei Wei (www.bjb.dicp.ac.cn/jngc/2004/2004-04-209.pdf)
That’s why the work of Carbon Nanotubes Research @ Oklahoma State University is so fascinating. According to their Web site …
“At the University of Oklahoma we pointed out that the catalytic decomposition method was suitable for scaling up and for achieving a "controlled production" of SWNT. By this we implied the ability to control the selectivity towards SWNT by changing catalyst parameters and operating conditions, all combined with the ability to obtain a reliable quantitative measurement of the amount of SWNT produced.
“For the last 8 years we have been performing research on the development and optimization of a cost effective method that we named CoMoCat process. Our expertise in heterogeneous catalysis allowed us to tailor the material in such a way that selectivity and yield are maximized. The method employed involves disproportionation of CO at moderate pressure and temperature, which results in a scalable, cost-effective process.”
Read more at: http://www.ou.edu/engineering/nanotube/home.html
READ an article describing the carbon nanotube potential at …
Study of Dibenzothiophene Adsorption Over Carbon Nanotube Supported CoMo HDS Catalysts, Journal of Natural Gas Chemistry 13(2004)209-217, Haiyang Chen, Xichen Zhou, Hongyan Shang, Chenguang Liu, Jieshan Qiu, Fei Wei (www.bjb.dicp.ac.cn/jngc/2004/2004-04-209.pdf)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Who’s On First
Part of sucessfuel research strategy depends on knowing what the competition is after. That is why researching masters theses is of interest. Occasionally, you will discover actual science that will help solve problems your organization is grappling with. More often, you may be able to identify talent to recruit in your effort. And sometimes you will be able to determine the problems your competition is concerned with. By way of example, here is a masters thesis produced by a candidate for Master of Science with the King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia. You can view the full text of the thesis at the URL listed below.
Desulfurization of Gasoline and Diesel Fuels, Using Non-Hydrogen Consuming Techniques
Abdullah Al-Malki
Master of Science
October 2004
King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals
Chemistry
Source http://eprints.kfupm.edu.sa/10518/1/10518.pdf
Desulfurization of Gasoline and Diesel Fuels, Using Non-Hydrogen Consuming Techniques
Abdullah Al-Malki
Master of Science
October 2004
King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals
Chemistry
Source http://eprints.kfupm.edu.sa/10518/1/10518.pdf
Monday, May 25, 2009
Part of the Solution
Thousands of brilliant minds are exploring the technical challenges that face us as a civilization. There are a few of these people who serve as focal points from which to begin to explore a particular technical topic. One way to identify the “focal points” is to research the names cited in a document like “Basic Research Needs: Catalysis for Energy (http://www.er.doe.gov/bes/reports/list.html).” A Report from the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Workshop, August 6-8, 2007, it lists a number of “Workshop Participants,” each of whom is a significant figure in search for energy solutions.
I did a quick search for information on each of the workshop participants, and compiled the results in a single file. This is something you could do on your own, but I have saved you some time by doing it for you. If you would like a free copy of my compilation, just send me an email request with “Workshop Compilation” in the subject line to:
letters@jeansteinhardt.com
Below is the first entry in the Workshop Compilation:
Alex Bell
Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley
Faculty Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Central Theme of Research
Professor Bell is interested in understanding the fundamental relationships between the structure and composition of heterogeneous catalysts and their performance. The study of reaction mechanisms and the identification of factors limiting the activity and selectivity of catalysts are also objectives of his research. Reaction systems being investigated include the synthesis of oxygenated compounds from COx (x = 1, 2), the conversion of alkenes to olefins and oxygenated products under oxidizing conditions, the reduction of nitric oxide under oxidizing conditions, conversion of biomass to fuels, and the electrochemical reduction of water and carbon dioxide to hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
The objectives of his program are pursued through a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, NMR, UV-Visible, XANES, and EXAFS, are used to characterize catalyst structure and adsorbed species under actual conditions of catalysis. Isotopic tracers and temperature-programmed adsorption and reaction techniques are used to elucidate the pathways via which catalyzed reactions occur. Quantum chemical calculations are conducted to define the structure and energetic of adsorbed species and the pathways by which such species are transformed. The combined use of theory and experimental methods enables the attainment of a deeper understanding of the core issues of interest than can be achieved by the use of either approach alone. In pursuing his research, Professor Bell draws upon 40 years of experience in the pursuit of fundamental issues relevant to catalysis. He is the author or co-author of over 513 technical publications.
source: http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/atbgrp/index.html
I did a quick search for information on each of the workshop participants, and compiled the results in a single file. This is something you could do on your own, but I have saved you some time by doing it for you. If you would like a free copy of my compilation, just send me an email request with “Workshop Compilation” in the subject line to:
letters@jeansteinhardt.com
Below is the first entry in the Workshop Compilation:
Alex Bell
Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley
Faculty Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Central Theme of Research
Professor Bell is interested in understanding the fundamental relationships between the structure and composition of heterogeneous catalysts and their performance. The study of reaction mechanisms and the identification of factors limiting the activity and selectivity of catalysts are also objectives of his research. Reaction systems being investigated include the synthesis of oxygenated compounds from COx (x = 1, 2), the conversion of alkenes to olefins and oxygenated products under oxidizing conditions, the reduction of nitric oxide under oxidizing conditions, conversion of biomass to fuels, and the electrochemical reduction of water and carbon dioxide to hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
The objectives of his program are pursued through a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, NMR, UV-Visible, XANES, and EXAFS, are used to characterize catalyst structure and adsorbed species under actual conditions of catalysis. Isotopic tracers and temperature-programmed adsorption and reaction techniques are used to elucidate the pathways via which catalyzed reactions occur. Quantum chemical calculations are conducted to define the structure and energetic of adsorbed species and the pathways by which such species are transformed. The combined use of theory and experimental methods enables the attainment of a deeper understanding of the core issues of interest than can be achieved by the use of either approach alone. In pursuing his research, Professor Bell draws upon 40 years of experience in the pursuit of fundamental issues relevant to catalysis. He is the author or co-author of over 513 technical publications.
source: http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/atbgrp/index.html
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