Environmentally benign catalytic technology for refining and petrochemical production: A recent review of related R&D activities in China

Abstract

The more and more stringent requirement for environmental protection becomes now the major driving force for technological progress. The impact is significant for refining and petrochemical industry in China as well as in the world. Looking forward to 21st century, the technologies for waste treatment should be continuously improved, and meanwhile, the technologies of green processes should be developed. The technologies of green processes are demanded both for revamping the existing units and for designing new units during the capacity expansion of China’s petrochemical industry in the next century. A green process is a highly selective chemical process using green raw materials, catalysts, and solvents, producing green products. Since most of the petrochemical processes were developed in 1940–1950s, technological breakthrough based on entirely new scientific knowledge is necessary for developing green processes. Catalysis, the key element for many chemical processes, will still play an important role in the development of green chemistry and hence in the greening of chemical processes or clean production. Historical review reveals that technological breakthrough occurs generally through the discovery and