Working with Zeolites: A Reflection on Catalyst Development in Industry

• Published in: Topics in catalysis Vol. 64; no. 17-20; pp. 889 - 895
• Main Author: Parker, David G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-12-2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Catalysis; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Industrial development; Isomerization; Licensing (technology); Original Paper; Pharmacy; Physical Chemistry; Toluene; Zeolites; Isomerisation; Methanol conversion; Methylamines; Catalysis; Zeolites; Toluene methylation
• ISSN: 1022-5528; 1572-9028
• DOI: 10.1007/s11244-021-01446-9

This paper, a tribute to Mike Spencer’s research contribution to zeolite technology, details work carried out with ICI proprietary (and other) zeolites during the late 70’s to mid- 80’s. The projects were stimulated by the 1970’s oil crises, and Mobil Oil’s publications on ZSM-5 technology, and involved a collaborative partnership between ICI Agricultural and Petrochemicals Divisions, with Mike a major participant. The work described covers zeolite synthesis, xylenes isomerisation, toluene methylation, the methylamines process and methanol to gasoline. Much of the work discussed is unpublished or in the patent literature. Significant progress was made in this area of technology, enabling the licensing of two zeolite catalysed processes.