Headwaters Inc. (NYSE:HW) has been awarded The Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Chemistry award for a project that replaces chlorinated oxidants.
EPA’s Green Chemistry Program promotes the research, development, and implementation of innovative environmentally benign, cost effective chemical technologies.
The Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide by Selective Nanocatalyst Technology (NxCat) was developed by Dr. Bing Zhou and members of Headwaters Technology Innovation. NxCat is a nanocatalyst technology that enables the synthesis of H2O2 directly from hydrogen and oxygen.
Except for its historically higher price, H2O2 is an excellent substitute for the more frequently used–and far more deleterious–chlorinated oxidants. The NxCat(TM) technology produces a cost effective, environmentally preferable oxidant (H2O2), and is expected to be the oxidant of choice for synthesis of major industrial chemicals.
A palladium-platinum catalyst eliminates hazardous reaction conditions and chemicals of the conventional process, along with undesirable byproducts. It produces H2O2 more efficiently, cutting both energy use and costs. It uses innocuous, renewable feedstocks and generates no toxic waste.
In partnership with Degussa AG, a major H2O2 manufacturer, HTI has demonstrated its technology and is preparing to begin commercial production in 2009.
Loading...