Zeolite Catalysts as Enabling Materials for Carbon Management

Keynote Lecture – Session: Oxide-Zeolite Bifunctional Catalysts for Selective Conversion of Syngas

Title: Zeolite Catalysts as Enabling Materials for Carbon Management

Dr. Ulrich Müller

Dr. S. Altwasser, Craig Cain-Borgman*, Dr. A. Gordillo, Dr. A. Parvulescu, Dr. L. Karwacki

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany and *BASF Corporation, Iselin, NJ, USA

                                                       

Heterogeneous catalysts are used in more than 85% of commercial chemical processes. By 2021, the overall catalyst market is estimated to be 31 billion US$, where it is estimated that 1 $ invest in chemical catalyst value leverages more than 100 times the value in manufactured products. Within BASF heterogeneous catalysts are broadly used and catalyst performance is of utmost importance for the profitability and sustainability of the respective value-added chains. In addition, BASF is also selling chemical catalysts to the automotive, chemical and refining industries where CAGRs of the strategic relevant markets are predicted at 3-5.6% (2015-2020).

Innovation in the chemical industry is predominantly driven by catalyst research and development since the discovery and development of ammonia production in the Haber-Bosch process. Starting around 1970 zeolites at BASF were investigated and introduced as industrial chemical catalysts. The lecture will focus on manufacture, characterization and use of zeolites for chemical conversions. Beyond chemicals manufacture, a broader picture including carbon management and raw material change will be addressed. The contribution of zeolites in variable bifunctional metal-oxide/zeolite kits will be outlined. Recent contributions from BASF international academic network INCOE and impact of analytical tools like TEM-tomography and low dose TEM are introduced.

 

Biography

Ulrich Müller, Senior Vice President - Executive Expert Zeolite Catalysis at BASF SE

PhD from Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany, with K.K. Unger

BASF Zeolite Research since 1989

Catalyst and Process Innovation on cfc replacement, amines, olefin purification, active ingredients, HPPO propylene oxide, DeNOx