Topsoe Catalysis Forum

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

The aim of the forum is to establish an open-minded and informal atmosphere where knowledge, thoughts, and ideas are shared. Thus, we believe the forum provides a basis for gaining new understanding and will contribute to moving the industry forward.

Topsoe Catalysis Forum works through individual contacts and biennial meetings focusing on a single topic. Although participation is by invitation only, presentations, videos, and more are shared online.

Topsoe Catalysis Forum 2018

August 23-24, 2018

Future catalyst production

Most heterogeneous catalysts are prepared through processing of solid materials, in particular powder and slurry processes. Anyone experienced in this area will know about the vast complexity of feeding, mixing, shaping, and heating of powder materials. Catalysts are advanced materials, and their function and properties are highly dependent on the manufacturing processes. Minute impurities can poison the catalytic activity, and uncontrolled variation in mixing or calcination can jeopardize the critical properties.

Efficient use of resources is on everybody’s mind in society as a whole. That is also very much the case within catalyst production. We see rapid changes in market demands which call for efficient launches of new products, and at the same time we must keep a focused eye on inventories, operating efficiency, and supply chain security.

Traditionally, the chemical industry is not using the full potential of “big data” and machine learning like other manufacturing industries. Production know-how is essential for chemical companies working with catalyst production. Also, this know-how is often subject to some level of confidentiality as it is the core of our business. As a consequence, this may limit innovation in our area.

On August 23 and 24, leading catalyst production specialists met to give inspiring lectures and share knowledge within some of the most important areas of solids production:

Modelling & unit operations

  • How can we better understand what is happening in the solids processes and optimize the operation; and how can we improve the design of new solids processes?

Scale up processes and methods improvement

  • How can we improve the link between research & development and production, in particular when launching new products in full scale and optimization of existing product lines?

Industry experience

  • How can we strengthen the professional network across companies and institutions with practical experience of full-scale solids processing?

Data

  • How can the industry make better use of production & development data to improve production of solid materials like catalysts?

You can watch selected lectures from this year's Catalysis Forum below:

  • Nigel Edmondson, MADE: Smart factory and Industry 4.0

  • Fernando Muzzio, Rutgers University: Continuous manufacturing and dynamic flowsheet modeling

  • Alexander Michaelis, Fraunhofer: Multi-materials additive manufacturing

 

Past Themes of Topsoe Catalysis Forum

 
2017 Electrocatalysis and the global energy challenge
2015 Catalysis in petrochemicals
2013 Modeling and simulation of heterogeneous catalyst processes
2012 Microscopy in catalysis
2011 Catalysis and future energy
2010 Catalysis in new refinery processes
2009 Catalysis in new environmental processes
2008 The role of catalysis in conversion of biomass
2007 Sulfur management
2006 Future hydrogen generation and application
2005 Zeolites in catalysis
2004 Fuel and chemicals from methanol


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to read about particular themes in details.