New technology for N2O destruction helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Petten, the Netherlands and Houston, Texas – Energy Research Center of the Netherlands and CRI Catalyst Company sign License Agreement .
Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) and CRI Catalyst Company LP (CRI) have concluded a License Agreement for a novel catalyst technology developed by ECN to reduce the air emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). N2O is identified as a significant greenhouse gas under the Kyoto Protocol having an impact 310 times higher per unit than CO2. The ECN technology destroys the N2O converting it into harmless nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) and is highly suitable for reducing N2O emissions from the tail gas streams of industrial and chemical process plants, such as nitric acid, caprolactam and adipic acid plants, which are significant emitters of N2O. The ECN technology has been tested under a wide range of conditions and is capable of achieving N2O reductions of more than 90%. It is a robust technology and in comparison to other technologies on the market it is much more cost effective.
Under the Agreement, ECN will grant to CRI exclusive worldwide rights to applications of its N2O reduction technology. CRI has completed development of the technology and it is now commercially available worldwide for implementation on nitric acid and other chemical process plants to meet the greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Kyoto Agreements.
Jan Willem Erisman, Unit Manager of ECN, noted: “This agreement provides an ideal platform for bringing our technology to the market on a global scale. CRI is a well-suited partner as a global player with a very good reputation. This agreement validates the confidence we have in its potential to reduce N2O emissions from the production of nitric acid and therewith making a significant contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.”
C. Philipp Brundrett, Business Director of CRI commented: “ECN’s technology is an ideal addition to our portfolio of environmental catalyst technologies. We believe there is significant market interest in this technology because it can achieve high levels of N2O emission reduction cost effectively.”
About Energy research Centre of the Netherlands
At ECN, energy research is concentrated on themes that contribute to a globally sustainable use of energy. This includes the development of technologies for the use of renewable energy, energy storage and energy conversion, including low-emission combustion. ECN can optimally employ the multi-disciplinary nature of its research potential and its particular expertise, experience, and professionalism in the construction and operation of complex research installations. With a staff of over 600 people and an annual budget of € 70 million, ECN has developed a portfolio of proprietary technologies and patents of which some are ready to be commercialized through spin-out companies. Further information is available at: www.ecn.nl.
About CRI Catalyst Company
CRI Catalyst Company LP is part of CRI / Criterion Inc., the global catalyst technology company of Royal Dutch Shell plc. CRI operates research laboratories, development facilities, manufacturing plants and business units throughout the world. It is dedicated to providing a broad customer base with the most effective and cost-efficient catalysts and technologies available. Specific areas of focus include hydrogenation, oxidation, dehydrogenation, and environmental catalysts and systems. Fully integrated technical service and support groups further enhance the customer value of CRI’s products, and facilitate creative solutions to the most difficult customer problems. For more information please visit the company’s website www.cricatalyst.com
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Press information
For further information, please contact:
ECN:
Dr. Jan Willem Erisman, Unit Manager Biomass, Coals and Environmental Research
Tel: +31 224-56 4155, Cell: +31 6 5119 0101
E-mail: erisman@remove-this-part-ecn.nl
Florentine de Maar, press officer
Tel: +31 224-564050, Cell: +31 6 1279 8123
E-mail: demaar@remove-this-part-ecn.nl
CRI:
C. Philipp Brundrett, Business Director Environmental Catalysts & Systems, CRI Catalyst Company
Tel: + 1 281-876-8068, Cell: +1 281-380-8658
E-mail: Phil.Brundrett@remove-this-part-CRI-Criterion.com
