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Catalysis and separation

The Catalysis and Separation Division comprises the expertise IFP requires to design, develop and evaluate catalytic and separation agents. The division’s principal missions are:

to design and optimize new catalysts, supports, adsorbents, membranes and trapping masses,

to identify and optimize new reactions in order to access new products.

It also researches new conditions for the implementation (type of reactor, solvent, operating conditions, etc.) and use of catalytic and separation agents as well as new activation, regeneration and recovery methods.
Research conducted in the Catalysis and Separation Division fall within IFP’s strategic axes.

The Catalysis and Separation Division is organized into 5 departments:

Separation Department

The Separation Department comprises expertise relating to separation systems employing various types of agents: adsorbents, membranes and solvents.

Molecular Catalysis Department

The Molecular Catalysis Department comprises expertise in catalysis by organometallic complexes, bi-phase catalysis and organic synthesis.

Catalysis by Metals and Acid-Base Solids Department

The Catalysis by Metals and Acid-Base Solids Department comprises expertise in the fields of supported metallic catalysts, zeoliths and oxides.

Catalysis by Sulfides Department

The Catalysis by Sulfides Department comprises expertise in the field of heterogeneous catalysis by sulfur solids implemented in the fields of refining and biomass conversion.

Divided Materials Engineering Department

The Divided Materials Engineering Department has specialists in mineral synthesis, surface modification, shaping and extrapolation on a pilot scale. This department has a laboratory which comprises expertise on the characterization of the mechanical, textural (porosity, specific surface) and structural properties of solids: supports, catalysts and adsorbents.

The division’s scientific policy is designed to develop the continuum between fundamental research and applied research. To achieve this, the division:

maintains a network of scientific collaboration with academic partners in France and abroad,
develops expertise and tools to identify innovative solutions to the problems raised by IPS’s industrial partners, as well as societal expectations expressed in IFP’s strategic research axes.

The Division's Activities for IFP's various Business Units

Exploration-Production Technology Business Unit

The Catalysis and Separation Division is principally involved in the fields of natural gas treatment and CO₂capture for this business unit.

Since the beginning of the 2000’s, research in the field of CO₂capture has developed considerably, particularly research with respect to new solvents to reduce the energy costs associated with CO₂capture.

Refining-Petrochemicals Technology Business Unit

In the field of refining, the activities of the Catalysis and Separation Division relate to the development of new catalysts and separation agents for the following processes:

production of fuel base stocks (gasoline, gas oil, kerosene),
production of combustibles (domestic fuel, fuel oil),
heavy oil cut conversion.

Since 2003, there has been a significant development in research in the field of biomass conversion. Today, activities are centered on the development of processes to transform vegetable oils and ethanol into fuels that can be directly incorporated into the diesel pool. The Esterfip process, developed at IFP using homogeneous or heterogeneous catalytic approaches, is marketed by AXENS. Today, so-called XTL processes are being developed. This involves converting biomass, coal or natural gas into diesel fuel via gasification followed by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Powertrain Engineering Technology Business Unit

Since the 1980s, the Catalysis and Separation Division has been involved in research in the field of vehicle pollution control. This work has enabled us to develop considerable expertise in monolith coating and particulate filters.
Another more recent avenue of collaboration with this business unit relates to the preparation of mixed oxides applied in the catalytic combustion of methane, and the combustion of various feeds with CO₂ storage (Chemical Looping).

Human Resources

53 research engineers and 73 technicians make up the division’s personnel. Around twelve doctoral theses are started each year. These theses are conducted in partnership with academic laboratories, both in France and abroad. Approximately 50% of thesis research is carried out at IFP and the other 50% outside.
The number of post-doctoral researchers in the division equate to 36 months per year.
The majority of placement students have had 5 years of higher education. Between 30 and 40 placements are accommodated by the division each year.
The division also has numerous partnerships with the CNRS and university laboratories both in France and abroad.

Oil & Gas Science and Technology - Revue de l'IFP
THEMATIC DOSSIER:
"Research Advances in Rational Design of Catalysts and Sorbents"
(Les Rencontres Scientifiques de l'IFP)

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