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Topsoe Catalysis Forum - Topics through the years

The Topsoe Catalysis Forum is created as a framework for an open exchange of views on catalysis in the fields of interest to Topsoe. The idea is to discuss new catalytic reactions and new principles of catalysis in an attempt to jointly look beyond the horizon.

On this page you can read about the past themes and download resources from former forums.

2017: Topsoe Catalysis Forum

August 24 - 25, 2017
‘Electrocatalysis and the global energy challenge’

The world’s energy consumption is increasing steadily, and electrification is accelerating while renewable sources are taking market shares from fossil consumption. Photovoltaics and wind turbines are in particular gaining market shares as the commercial cost continues to decrease for these technologies. The next logical large-scale challenge may very well be as evident as improved storage and transportation of energy from the windy and sunny production sites to the established consumer markets. Electrocatalysis seems a very promising technology to this end.

Development of electrolysis with high product yields will be essential in order to meet the future demand, while the environmental impact and energy consumption need to be at acceptable levels. The development of new as well as optimization of existing electrocatalytic processes for conversion of electricity to chemicals is not trivial, either due to limited maturity or lack of short-term profitable applications. Selection of technologies and combinations of these are quite open challenges. Thus, all in all it is a daunting as well as a potentially rewarding task that lies ahead of us.

At the Topsoe Catalysis Forum 2017, we will focus on various aspects of electrochemistry applied in energy conversion, energy storage, and synthesis of value-added chemicals, including fuels, bulk chemicals, and monomers, as well as novel materials. Focus is on reviewing state-of-the-art knowledge as well as discussing future trends and new combinations of processes. The main focus of the forum is on scientific and technical presentations and discussions; however, to give a more holistic view of what will be expected of industry in the future, the program also includes contributions of a more market-oriented and commercial nature.

See the keynote lecture from Catalysis Forum 2017 below.

2015: Catalysis in petrochemicals

The world population is increasing by a staggering 200,000 people pr. day. Combined with an overall world-wide increase in wealth, this development leads to increasing demand for basic products such as packaging and clothing. It is up to the petrochemical industry to deliver the feedstock for these products. Development of efficient catalytic processes with high product yields is essential in order to meet the future demand while the environmental impact and energy consumption need to be at acceptable levels. The optimization of existing catalytic processes for synthesis of petrochemicals is not trivial since most of these processes are already highly optimized and very efficient. Development of entirely new processes to compete with the existing technology seems even more challenging, so all in all, it is a daunting task that lies ahead of us.

See the agenda of Topsoe Catalysis Forum 2015.

At the Topsoe Catalysis Forum 2015, we focused on various aspects of catalysis applied in synthesis of petrochemicals including selective oxidations, selective hydrogenations, and novel materials. Focus is on reviewing existing and state-of-the -art knowledge, as well as discussing future trends and new processes. On top of the scientific and technical presentations and discussions, which is the core focus of the forum, the program also includes contributions of a more market-oriented/commercial nature in order to give a more holistic view of the future expectations for the industry.

2013: Modeling and simulation of heterogeneous catalytic processes

In a world of increasing population and consumption, the efficiency and environmental impact of industrial processing have become major drivers for development and implementation of new improved techno- logies. Heterogeneous catalysis and mathematical modeling will remain essential prerequisites in this continuing quest for better utilization of raw materials and energy with less impact on the environment from e.g. waste, pollutants, and green-house gases. While the description of nature’s behavior by mathematical models has always been one of the engineers’ favorite tools, the introduction of computers for numerical modeling of chemical systems about 50 years ago was a huge leap forward in terms of model speed and complexity. Today, numerical modeling is used extensively for analysis, design, development, and troubleshooting of catalytic reactors and processes. Typical models in the field are deterministic and mechanistic and formulated for steady-state or dynamic conditions. However, the ability of the models to predict system behavior and performance requires ac- curate models for some important phenomena including intrinsic kinetics, mass and heat transfer through the porous catalyst, external mass and heat transfer, fixed bed heat conduction, dispersion phenomena, flow distribution of gas and liquid phases, etc. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), describing complex flow fields by solving the equations of motion, energy, and continuity, have opened new opportunities for modeling of chemical systems and catalytic reactors. With increasing computer speed, CFD allows for simultaneous calculation of finite rate chemistry, better geometry resolution, and more accurate turbulence models. Other challenges met by fast computers are dynamic modeling of whole catalytic process plants and model-based control of catalytic processes. Modeling of different reaction engineering systems, e.g. fixed bed with pellets or monoliths, trickle bed, fluid bed, and micro reactors, is important for both analysis of laboratory reactors and subsequent scale-up to industrial size reactors. However, better modeling also calls for accurate measurements of the rate-determining phenomena. The aim of this forum is to review state-of-the-art modeling of catalytic reactors and processes. It should be done with an open mind in order not just to review current knowledge but also to provide a basis for the development of new modeling principles and tools for the future.

2012: Microscopy in catalysis 

We are privileged to announce that the 10th Topsøe Catalysis Forum is dedicated to the celebration of the Haldor Topsøe Centennial which is well underway and will culminate in Dr. Haldor Topsøe’s 100th birthday May 24, 2013. In the spirit of Dr. Haldor Topsøe, the Topsøe Catalysis Forum was created as a framework for an open exchange of views on catalysis in the fields of interest to Haldor Topsøe. The forum is conceived as a platform for discussions of new reactions and new principles in catalysis in an attempt to jointly look beyond the horizon. The aim of the Topsøe Catalysis Forum on microscopy in catalysis is to review state-of-the-art microscope techniques, their applications and challenges when used as tools for understanding heterogeneous catalysis. The aim is also to discuss how microscopy techniques can be developed to provide catalysis research with opportunities beyond current possibilities.

The TOPSØE CATALYSIS FORUM is organized as a two-day topical meeting. The first day is devoted to overview lectures setting the scene and forming the basis for the discussions. On the second day, the discussions and exchange of views will take place in three groups, each organized around a specific sub-topic. Participation is by invitation only. Besides the presenters, representatives from industrial collaboration partners are invited, but the majority of the participants are Haldor Topsøe staff. On the first day of the meeting, up to 75 participants will be present, whereas about 50 will take part in the discussions on the second day. The meeting is held on a non-confidential basis.

2011: Catalysis and future energy

Energy is the key to our living and the sun is the most important supplier. Taking into account the foresee- able increased standard of living and the growing world population the demand for energy and chemicals will increase until 2030 and beyond. The scarcity of fossilized sun energy (oil, natural gas, etc.) in combi- nation with the problematic increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere will force the world’s present energy structure towards sun generated short-lived energy forms. These energy forms also include photosynthesized bio chemicals - energy forms that are stored for a short time or even used immediately. Electricity is one promising energy carrier but sun generated electricity, energy from wind, photovoltaic and thermal power will be out of phase with the demand thus forcing chemical and electrochemical proces- ses to be developed for storing this outbalanced energy as a chemical compound in fuels or as electrode compounds in batteries. The outbalanced energy even open up for a new (electro-)chemistry that synthe- sizes fuels as methanol, DME and methane out of CO2 thus alleviating the greenhouse problem. Out of the earth’s solar influx of 580 TW only around 1% is used for photosynthesis of plants and out of this only a minor energy fraction is used for synthesis of bio fuel compounds such as glucose, sugar or precursors for commodity chemicals. Improvement of plants’ “chemical yield” or the photosynthesis (bio)chemistry routes themselves can contribute to solar energy efficiency and CO2 utilisation. Also the efficiency of photovoltaic materials will be improved. The transition path to this sustainable energy structure requires development and utilization of a number of energy efficient selective chemicals and electrochemical processes and this will inescapably require the assistance of catalysts. Thus this seminar will cover catalyst developments within the following main topics: - Photogenerated voltage - Optimized and artificial photosynthesis for biomass and chemicals - Energy storage routes and chemistry - Potential of future batteries and related electro catalysis - Biomass to fuels and chemicals - Electricity to fuels and chemicals The aim of this seminar is to discuss current and future catalytic processes for energy conversion, fuels and storage. The open-minded and informal atmosphere for sharing knowledge and ideas offered by the forum provides a basis for new understanding and innovations within this field.

2010: Catalysis in new refinery processes

In current years, the markets for transportation fuels are shifting both globally and locally. While refiners are adapting to changing product slates and specifications, feedstocks continue to change and diversify. In the coming years both biomass, synthetic materials and heavier fossil feedstocks such as bitumen are expected to become more important and better integration and exploitation of these resources is required as we move forward. New levels of flexibility will be required in refinery processes as products demand change and the availability of specific crudes is altered. Consequently, new and continuous innovations in the field of petroleum refining are needed. As petroleum is predicted to remain the most important single resource for transportation through year 2050, the development of new refinery technologies and catalysts will still be of paramount importance as the global economy begins to transition towards less dependence on fossil fuels. At the Topsøe Catalysis Forum 2010 we will aim to review and discuss catalysis in new refinery processes. The emphasis of the forum lies on expanding our knowledge as we review what is currently known, recent developments within the topic and discuss views and ideas. The open-minded and informal atmosphere for sharing knowledge and ideas offered by the forum provides a basis for new understanding and innovations within the field.

2009: Catalysis in new environmental processes

Growing concerns about human health, climate, nature diversity and available resources of the planet have been major drivers for the development and implementation of environmental technologies in industry over the last 50 years. Catalysis will remain essential in this continuing quest for better resource utilization and reduced environmental impact of industrial processing and modern lifestyle. Environmental catalysis provides a wide range of solutions to these future challenges in terms of alternative processing routes without secondary pollutant formation, increased efficiency and catalytic waste gas cleaning. The latter is typically one of the final process steps before emission to a stack or an exhaust pipe of a car where the large gas volumes at almost ambient pressure calls for monoliths or other structured catalyst designs achieving low pressure drop or high dust tolerance. In the power sector, removal of fly ash, SO2 and NOx has been implemented in most parts of the world for coal-fired plants. However, new challenges have also emerged such as combustion of waste, biomass and heavy oil residues, oxyfuel combustion and removal of Hg and dioxins. Improved catalysts and technologies must also be developed for Claus and sulfuric acid plants to meet the gradually increasing demands for lower emissions of SO2. While 3-way catalysts have been applied for gasoline-driven cars for more than a decade, a considerable effort is currently devoted to the development of catalytic systems for diesel-driven mobile sources e.g. trucks, buses, cars, trains and ships for which future legislation will require catalytic removal of NOx, soot and volatile organic compounds (VOC). New demands for better fuel efficiency will call for alternative catalytic systems for gasoline cars operating at lean burn conditions. Improved energy-efficiency of industrial processing by means of catalysis reduces CO2 emissions and slows down the depletion of the global reserves of fossil fuels. On the long term, however, more radical solutions must be found to reduce greenhouse gas emissions along with the development of alternative energy sources. The aim of this seminar is to discuss current and future practices of environmental catalysis. It should be done with an open mind in order not just to review current knowledge but also to provide a basis for new innovations within the area.

2008: The role of catalysis in conversion of biomass

The growing climate concerns as well as the concern over the decrease in accessible oil reserves have sparked the development of new fuels and chemicals based on biorelated materials, such as sugars, vegetable oils and bio-waste. While biodiesel and bioethanol based on 1st generation processes are mature, more sustainable processes should be sought in the future to avoid affecting the availability of food for the population of our planet. Gasification of biomass and waste into syngas and further production of both energy and fuels are obvious possibilities that will require further insight into these materials. The potential market for chemicals, based on sustainable feedstocks replacing petroleum based products in the future, is large. Not only can a substantial amount of current commodity chemicals be made from renewables, but new products with environment-friendly properties may replace current products as well. To reach these future goals, new catalysts and processes are required which are able to work under different conditions than the present petroleum based. Instead of adding chemical functionalities, the initial steps are the opposite: Removing functionalities to obtain the new building blocks for other products. This is not only in an overall aqueous environment giving rise to quite harsh conditions for catalysts, but also the separation of products may become increasingly difficult due to the hydrogen bonding systems leading to complex phase behavior. It is clear that the area of biomass utilisation for both energy and chemicals currently and in the future will require large efforts in research and development to obtain efficient processes, which will have to compete with crude oil based products in many years to come. The aim of this seminar is to discuss current and future practices of biomass conversion using catalysis. It should be done with an open mind in order not just to review current knowledge but also to provide a basis for new innovations within the area.

2007: Sulfur Management

The global sulfur demand is expected to grow over the coming years but so is the sulfur production. Most of the production is involuntary from hydrotreating oil fractions in the refineries, natural gas processing and metallurgical smelting operations. The increased focus on environmental protection has been a major driving force for the development of new catalysts and catalytic processes for conversion and removal of sulfur compounds with minimum production cost and energy consumption. In the sulfuric acid industry, more efficient, low-temperature catalysts and improved technologies must be developed to meet the increasing demands for lower emissions of SO₂. In the refineries, lower sulfur specifications for oil products call for improved hydrotreating catalysts, new H₂S separation technologies and increased efficiency of the sulfur recovery unit. Removal of low concentrations of sulfur compounds is also an important process step in power plants, coal gasification units, and natural gas sweetening. Typically, sulfur is a catalyst poison that must be removed to very low levels.

The aim of this seminar is to discuss current and future practices of sulfur management. It should be done with an open mind in order not just to review current knowledge but also to provide a basis for new innovations within the area. 

2006: Future hydrogen generation and application

2005: Zeolites in catalysis

2004: Fuel and chemicals from methanol

If you are interested in the presentations within any of the mentioned themes, feel free to download our resources