ExxonMobil & Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica Discover New Material That Could Significantly Reduce the Amount of Energy & Emi...
December 07 2017 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
- Collaboration leads to discovery of a
new material able to separate ethylene from ethane
- Targeting up to a 25 percent reduction
in both process energy needs and carbon dioxide emissions
- Research published in nation’s leading
peer-reviewed journal Science
Scientists from ExxonMobil and the Instituto de Tecnologia
Quimica (ITQ) in Valencia, Spain have discovered a potentially
revolutionary new material that could significantly reduce the
amount of energy and emissions associated with the production of
ethylene. Depending on the application, use of the new material, in
conjunction with other novel separation processes, could result in
up to a 25 percent reduction in both the energy needed for ethylene
separation, as well as the associated carbon dioxide emissions.
Results of the research have been published in the peer-reviewed
journal Science.
ExxonMobil and ITQ researchers found that the new material,
composed of a uniquely structured silica zeolite, can be used in
gas separation processes, such as the recovery of ethylene from
ethane, with an unprecedented degree of selectivity at ambient
temperature. The new material could provide insights into
the design of additional materials to be used as adsorbents or
membranes in a variety of different gas separation applications
associated with chemical manufacturing. Zeolites are porous
materials frequently used as adsorbents and catalysts in chemical
processes.
“Cryogenic distillation, the current commercial-scale process
used for ethylene separation, is an energy-intensive process,” said
Vijay Swarup, vice president of research and development at
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. “If advanced to
commercial scale, use of this new material could significantly
reduce the amount of energy and emissions associated with ethylene
production. This is another great example of collaboration between
industry and a university that is focused on driving solutions for
improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions from
industrial processes.”
Ethylene is a critical component in producing chemicals and
plastics. Finding alternative, low-energy technologies to separate
ethylene from ethane has been a longstanding challenge due to their
similar properties. While chemical manufacturers have evaluated a
number of alternatives to cryogenic distillation, including new
adsorbents and separation processes, many of these technologies are
hindered by low selectivity and an inability to
regenerate when exposed to contaminants.
The patented new material, ITQ-55, is able to selectively adsorb
ethylene over ethane as a result of its unique flexible pore
structure. Built from heart-shaped cages interconnected by flexible
elongated pore openings, the material allows the diffusion of the
flatter ethylene molecules as opposed to the more
cylindrical-shaped ethane molecules. The new material acts as a
flexible molecular sieve.
“ITQ-55 is a very interesting material whose unique combination
of pore dimension, topology, flexibility and chemical composition
results in a highly stable and inert material that is able to
adsorb ethylene and filter out ethane,” said Professor Avelino
Corma of the Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica and co-author of the
research. “We are excited about this discovery and look forward to
continuing our fruitful collaboration with ExxonMobil.”
Additional research must be conducted before the material can be
considered for larger-scale demonstration and commercialization.
Fundamental research will continue focusing on incorporating the
material into a membrane and developing additional novel materials
for gas separation.
“Our ultimate goal of actually replacing cryogenic distillation
is a long-term challenge that will require many more years of
research and testing, in and out of the lab,” said Gary Casty,
section head for catalysis at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering
Company. “Our next steps will focus on better understanding the
full potential of this new zeolite material.”
Chemical plants account for about eight percent of global energy
demand and about 15 percent of the projected growth in demand to
2040. As global populations and living standards continue to rise,
demand for auto parts, housing materials, electronics and other
products made from plastics and other petrochemicals will continue
to grow. Improving industrial efficiency is part of ExxonMobil’s
mission to meet the world’s growing need for energy while
minimizing environmental impacts.
ExxonMobil works with about 80 universities around the world to
explore next-generation energy technologies. In 2016, ExxonMobil
and the Georgia Institute of Technology announced the development
of a potential new material focusing on liquids separation that
could also reduce the amount of energy and emissions associated
with manufacturing plastics. The results of this joint research
were published by Science, as well.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and
gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the
world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading
inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and
marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of
the largest in the world. For more information, visit
www.exxonmobil.com or follow us on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/exxonmobil.
Cautionary Statement: Statements of
future events or conditions in this release are forward-looking
statements. Actual future results, including project plans and
timing and the impact and results of new technologies, including
efficiency gains and emission reductions, could vary depending on
the outcome of further research and testing; the development and
competitiveness of alternative technologies; the ability to scale
pilot projects on a cost-effective basis; political and regulatory
developments; and other factors discussed in this release and under
the heading “Factors Affecting Future Results” on the Investors
page of ExxonMobil’s website at exxonmobil.com.
About the Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica
The Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ) is a joint research
center created in 1990 by the Universitat Politècnica de València
and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. The ITQ is
an international reference center in the area of catalysis and new
materials (especially zeolites) and also in photochemistry. Due to
its excellent fundamental and oriented research level and to its
multidisciplinary character, the ITQ has the possibility to develop
research in different disciplines having an extraordinary
flexibility and capability to adapt itself to new research
challenges.
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