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Working with Zeolites: A Reflection on Catalyst Development in Industry

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Abstract

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 Much of the work discussed is unpublished or in the patent literature.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.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank helpful contributions from Drs John Birtill, Duncan Seddon and Martyn Twigg. Above all he acknowledges the generosity and encouragement given by Mike Spencer in this (the author’s) first venture in industrial research.

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  1. The Parker Consultancy, Norton, Stockton on Tees, UK

    David G. Parker

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  1. David G. Parker
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Correspondence to David G. Parker.

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Parker, D.G. Working with Zeolites: A Reflection on Catalyst Development in Industry. Top Catal 64, 889–895 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-021-01446-9

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