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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L87859/01
Title: ION-EXCHANGE RESIN CATALYSTS FOR OLEFIN HYDRATION: PROPYLENE
Principal Investigator: Brown, Professor DR
Other Investigators:
Barnes, Professor P A Edwards, Professor HG
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BP Purolite
Department: Chemical and Biological Sciences
Organisation: University of Huddersfield
Scheme: LINK
Starts: 01 February 1998 Ends: 31 July 2000 Value (£): 120,543
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Catalysis & Applied Catalysis
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Acidic ion-exchange resins (IER's) are attractive catalysts for the industrial hydration of propylene to isopropyl alcohol, but current resins do not possess satisfactory thermal stability and /or acidity. To develop improved resins Purolite will carry out a systematic programme of synthesis. Preliminary work with the Huddersfield group has already resulted in significant increases in resin activity. This has relied on a new microcalorimetric flow technique for measuring resin acidity by base adsorption. An objective is to advance this technique to measure adsorption form the liquid as well as gas phases, and to provide acid strength distribution profiles. This technique will also be applicable to other solid acids studied by the consortium and others. New resins will also be characterised by FT-Raman spectroscopy (Bradford). Catalytic screening in batch (Huddersfield) and continuos flow (Leeds) reactor configuration will be directly related to the characterisation data to guide the resin synthesis programme. The PDRA (based at Huddersfield) will be responsible for catalyst characterisation and catalytic measurements in Hudderfield and Leeds. BP Chemicals will advise on catalyst performance targets and carry our pilot plant tests on selected catalysts.
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Organisation Website: http://www.hud.ac.uk