Future Process Technology Developments

During the last two years the PEP program has examine a wide number of new technologies. In this review we present the highlights of six technologies that may have a significant impact on the chemical industry. The breakthrough technologies discussed in this review covers the following areas:

• Polyethylene production (new catalyst economics)
• Polystyrene production (cationic polymerization)
• Methanol production (large auto-thermal-oxidation plants)
• Ethylene Cracking technology (ceramic furnaces)
• GTL (new reactor improvements and global gas economics)
• Bio-catalyst breakthroughs (new enzyme developments)

Each of these technologies represents new opportunities and may significantly change.