Feb 5 2008
On Wednesday 23 January at the new Texas A&M University Qatar Campus in the Education City, the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSTRC) organised a research and technology lecture entitled "Catalysis in Shell". The lecture was attended by representatives from Texas A&M, Qatar University, Carnegie Mellon, Qatar Petroleum and other local industries.
The technology lecture was given by Shell's Chief Scientist in Chemistry and Catalysis, Dr Carl Mesters. Dr Carl Mesters is a leading innovator and renowned authority on catalysis. He joined Shell in 1984, where he currently works as one of Shell's Chief Scientist. The role of Chief Scientist was created to reinforce the Shell commitment to science, technology and innovation. Each Chief Scientist is internationally recognised as an expert in their own field. They deliver innovative technology that has a strong impact on wider business development. Dr Carl Mesters has also been Chairman of the Catalysis Society of the Royal Dutch Chemical Association. Currently he is a member of the research committee of the Netherlands Institute for Catalysis Research. He holds a degree in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, where he also completed a research PhD. His creativity and activity in catalysis and process R&D across many technical areas, resulted in more than 50 patents filed.
In the lecture, Dr Carl Mesters described the history of catalyst R&D activities in Shell and explained how fundamental research with catalysts has help to create viable new commercial operations such as the Gas to Liquids (GTL) process. The Shell GTL process converts natural gas into synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which can be reacted with catalysts. These reactions convert the gas into liquid products including gasoilbase oils, normal paraffin, naphtha and kerosene.
Dr Carl Mesters highlighted the relevance of catalysis in the Pearl GTL project as well as in other established processes such as in the hydro-desulphurisation of oil and in chemicals manufacturing. He added that the emerging challenges for catalyst R&D is the continuous improvement on existing products and processes, ie, to deliver increased yields, higher product quality and lower water and energy consumption, and to reduce the carbon footprint of Shell's activities.
Innovation in catalyst technology is a key enabler for Pearl GTL, the world's largest GTL plant, which is currently being built by Qatar Petroleum and Shell in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.
Catalysis is one of the key research themes in the new QSRTC facilities in the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). The catalyst R&D activities in QSRTC form part of Shell's GTL research and development programme and focuses on catalyst testing, product and process development.