Eltron Research & Development, Inc.

Catalysis

Low Temperature VOC Destruction: Eltron has a family of catalysts designed for destruction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) in air. Unlike present incineration systems that require temperatures of 800°C or higher, Eltron has successfully demonstrated essentially complete VOC destruction at less than 200°C. This results in systems that are much cheaper to build and operate. More ...

Non-Cobalt Fischer Tropsch Catalyst with Reverse WGS Activity: Eltron has developed a Fischer Tropsch catalyst that: a) contains no precious metals (low cost), b) performs similarly to cobalt and iron-based catalysts and c) exhibits reverse water gas shift activity (i.e., converts CO₂ and H₂ into products) which can be particularly useful for syn gas streams containing CO₂. More ...

Natural Gas to Syngas via Chemical Looping Reactor: The concept utilizes a material that captures large amounts of O₂ when exposed to air and then releases that O₂ for synthesis gas production in the next stage. This would be done either in switching bed or circulating fluidized bed reactors. Eltron has a novel material that shows very high O₂ capture capabilities while at the same time being a good synthesis gas catalyst. Nanostructured Metallomacrocycle Carbons for Use as Cathode Electrocatalysts in PEM Fuel Cell: Eltron’s material replaces platinum in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Estimated performance to cost ratio of the new material is about 10 times that of platinum. More ...

Nanostructured Metallomacrocycle Carbons for Use as Cathode Electrocatalysts in PEM Fuel Cell: Eltron’s material replaces platinum in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Estimated performance to cost ratio of the new material is about 10 times that of platinum. More ...

Selective Removal of Carbon Monoxide: The catalyst effectively oxidizes CO into CO₂ without affecting anything else. An example application is removal of trace quantities of CO upstream of PEM fuel cells where CO is a severe poison. Catalyst for Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation: Essentially an adaptation of the VOC destruction catalyst to work in water instead of air. We have obtained 100% destruction of organic compounds in water at 150°C and 150 psi.

Catalyst for Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation: Essentially an adaptation of the VOC destruction catalyst to work in water instead of air. We have obtained 100% destruction of organic compounds in water at 150°C and 150 psi. More ...

Chemical Looping Coal Gasification: This is very similar to the chemical looping technology being developed to generate synthesis gas from natural gas. In addition to the technical challenges of chemical looping reactors in general, this technology has the added complications of dealing with abrasion problems caused by a solid feed and the “nasties” present in coal such as sulfur, mercury, etc. We are optimistic that these are not insurmountable problems but the technology development is in its early stages. More ...

Passive Lean-NO_x Catalyst: Eltron has developed a catalyst material that is highly active for hydrocarbon reduction of nitrogen oxides in the presence of excess oxygen. This makes the material appropriate for use under lean burn conditions. In particular, it has been shown to possess potential as a passive lean NO_x catalyst and has been tested in diesel exhaust, displaying favorable activity (in the absence of added reductant or adjustment of fuel/air ratio) compared to that of existing passive lean NO_x materials such as zeolite supported platinum and metal oxide. The material has proven to be tolerant to sulfur oxides, water, and other constituents of real exhausts. It has shown activity at temperatures as low as 150°C and functions optimally at temperatures between 200-300°C. Its favorable low temperature performance, passive features, and reasonable cost make it potentially competitive with systems such as catalytic NO_x traps in certain applications.

High Temperature Heterogeneous Redox Catalyst for NO_x Abatement: Eltron has developed a material possessing potentially useful activity (>60% non-oxidative removal) for the direct decomposition of nitrogen oxides to innocuous products (N₂ and O₂) under reagentless conditions. This is the most economical approach for post-combustion removal of nitrogen oxides since costs for reagent and reagent delivery such as ducting are eliminated and catalysts demonstrating activity to the present time are inexpensive ($1-$4/lb). Additionally, the capability of catalysts to operate over a wide range of temperatures (e.g., 200-1000°C) can be advantageous in high temperature applications. The material has been investigated in conventional free-standing (powdered or granular) and monolith supported forms. In addition, its use as a coating on ceramic and metal surfaces has been explored. The high temperature catalysts are potentially useful in after-treatment devices for application in a number of systems or as coatings on the walls of combustion chambers, exhaust ducting, gas turbine stators, etc. Applications include post-combustion removal of NO_x from the exhausts of gas turbines, high temperature pyrolyzers, nitric acid plants and high temperature (e.g., glass) furnaces. More ...

Catalysts for Low Temperature Destruction of Chemical Warfare Agents: Eltron has developed a series of catalysts that show significantly improved activity for the destruction of chemical warfare agents (CWA’s) at low temperatures (<300°C) relative to existing catalysts. The most active catalysts have demonstrated complete removal of a nerve gas stimulant and a mustard stimulant from an air stream. These materials have also shown good regeneration ability, and long term stability and activity for over 100 hours, even in the presence of humidity. Eltron’s catalysts have demonstrated up to 3.5 times the activity (based on DMMP Ct) of those currently in use, AZSM-TEDA. The Eltron materials have also shown high activity for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low temperatures (<150°C). Adsorbents for Chemical Agents: Eltron has developed regenerable materials for the adsorption of chemical warfare agents. Materials have demonstrated higher effectiveness and capacity than state-of-the-art carbon adsorbents for cyanides, nerve agent simulants, and mustard simulants. In particular, essentially complete removal of nerve agent stimulant (e.g., DMMP) and HCN from air have been demonstrated at ambient temperature with Ct values at breakthrough much higher than those for activated carbon and other adsorbents. The materials are regenerable by heating in air. Employment in filters for face masks and building and vehicle ventilation air, catalytic suits, and other protective applications for the military as well as for protective gear for first responders and industrial workers in the civilian sector is envisioned. More ...

Adsorbents for Chemical Agents: Eltron has developed regenerable materials for the adsorption of chemical warfare agents. Materials have demonstrated higher effectiveness and capacity than state-of-the-art carbon adsorbents for cyanides, nerve agent simulants, and mustard simulants. In particular, essentially complete removal of nerve agent stimulant (e.g., DMMP) and HCN from air have been demonstrated at ambient temperature with Ct values at breakthrough much higher than those for activated carbon and other adsorbents. The materials are regenerable by heating in air. Employment in filters for face masks and building and vehicle ventilation air, catalytic suits, and other protective applications for the military as well as for protective gear for first responders and industrial workers in the civilian sector is envisioned.