Science in Action
Our R&D activities provide the foundation for bringing new products and technologies to market and we have systems in place to expedite our new product development processes. Below are three examples of research projects nearing commercialisation.
Sustainable Fuels – Biomass Feedstocks for Next Generation Biofuels
There is interest globally in the development of fuels produced from biomass as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical derived fuels. There are many potential biomass feedstocks and at Johnson Matthey we are exploring a number of different systems including waste cellulose from wood processing or agricultural residues, pyrolysis oil derived from a variety of sources and algae, a high yield, non-food source. Each feedstock requires very different technologies for conversion into fuel and all align well with Johnson Matthey’s core skills. In our work on waste cellulose we are applying our expertise in syngas purification and conversion whilst conversion of pyrolysis oil requires us to study processes analogous to those used in refineries such as purification, deoxygenation, isomerisation and cracking.
In our work on algae, which are highly efficient producers of triglycerides, Johnson Matthey is developing multifunctional catalysts capable of converting triglyceride components into hydrocarbon fuels. This patented technology creates further options for the utilisation of bioderived non-food sources for generating fuels.
Gas / Coal to Synthetic Fuels – Development of Syngas and Fischer Tropsch Technology
There is continued interest in the conversion of coal or natural gas into synthetic fuels as a route to a clean and secure source of energy. These gas to liquids (GTL) and coal to liquids (CTL) technologies represent multi stage catalytic processes which will operate on both large world scale plants as well as smaller scale plants using synthesis gas from biomass or methane sources as feedstocks. Key processes include syngas generation from coal or gas and Fischer Tropsch synthesis to catalytically convert hydrogen and carbon monoxide into fuels. The catalysts, reactor designs and process technologies required align strongly with the underlying science in Johnson Matthey’s Process Technologies business and we are engaged in a number of different projects in this field. Our dedicated Manufacturing Science Centre (MSC) in Billingham, UK provides us with an invaluable scale up link between laboratory based catalyst research and full scale production allowing us to optimise our manufacturing processes. The MSC has been involved with customer projects to develop Fischer Tropsch catalysts for a variety of scales, reactors and feedstocks, manufacturing pilot scale quantities for testing at customers’ sites. Optimising catalyst performance and process technology in combination will be crucial to the commercial viability of large scale CTL and GTL plants. We are drawing on the synergies between our catalyst and process technology R&D activities to develop superior performance solutions for the production of synthetic fuels.
Market Evolution for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
A combination of modelling, clever preparative chemistry and a deep understanding of how a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) works in practice has led to the development of more economically viable systems for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Over the last six years the knowledge gained from a series of research projects focused on dramatically improving the activity of the pgm component in DMFC systems has enabled significant increases in the power output per cost of these products. The development of these more cost efficient solutions has earned Johnson Matthey a leading position in the supply of MEAs to the global DMFC market.
Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the state of the art characterisation techniques used for the development of new materials.
R&D for Future Growth
As outlined in the Group Strategy section, major global drivers provide significant opportunities for Johnson Matthey to grow and develop its existing business areas over the next ten years and R&D will play an important role in realising these opportunities. To support this business development, the group is increasing its annual investment in R&D by around a third. In addition, work is also underway to leverage our R&D expertise to further accelerate growth in a series of new business areas over the next decade. This initiative aims to develop a major new division for Johnson Matthey which builds on the company’s established attributes, areas of expertise and existing commercial interests. The process to identify, evaluate and develop new business areas is now underway and we have initially planned to increase our investment in R&D by up to a further £5 million p.a. in support of this work.