FLSmidth and Haldor Topsoe to collaborate on commercialisation of new catalytic filter bag technology

FLSmidth A/S and Haldor Topsoe A/S have entered into a cooperation agreement aimed at commercialising a new catalytic filter bag technology. The two companies have been working together for the last four years to develop the EnviroTex™ catalytic filter bags, which are designed to remove dust, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen-oxides in one integrated process. Extensive testing has already been carried out, with proven performances in several industry applications. The patent-pending technology can be employed in a range of industries, including cement, biomass, waste incineration, power, glass and metal production.

The catalytic filter bags comprise three layers of filter fabric, with each one containing a tailored catalyst that is optimised for the removal of specific kinds of compounds from the off-gas that passes through it.

“Developing this product has been a combination of the very best that Topsoe and FLSmidth have to offer from an R&D perspective. By combining FLSmidth's expertise in filtration in industrial processes with Topsoe's leadership in catalysis, we have created a unique product that will allow customers to meet increasingly stringent environmental legislation at a fraction of the operating cost that even the best available technologies offer today,” said Bjerne S. Clausen, CEO of Haldor Topsoe.

“The three layer structure is unique. Not only because it provides us with the flexibility to tailor different catalytic combinations for different industries. It also makes it possible to handle the removal of several critical compounds in one integrated process. This can significantly reduce the cost of off-gas cleaning because today’s standard is to use separate stand-alone systems to address removal of specific compounds. This translates into complexity and higher customer operating cost,” added Clausen.

The filter bags will be manufactured at FLSmidth’s bag production facility in Georgia, USA. They will then be catalysed and assembled at Topsoe’s catalyst production site in Houston, Texas. The Topsoe facility will be expanded to include a new production line dedicated to the EnviroTex™ catalytic filter bags. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“The beauty of this collaboration is that we can fully leverage each other’s strengths and market presence and efficiently target a global market opportunity. EnviroTex™ catalytic filter bags allow customers to upgrade their environmental equipment to fulfil tightened legislation at low cost and with minimum influence on existing production equipment,” commented Thomas Schulz, CEO of FLSmidth. “Initially we believe the US market will benefit from the product, because cement producers here are faced with immediate challenge in order to meet new regulatory requirements that have been issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency and will take effect 1 September 2015. In the longer-term China may hold an even greater market potential as stricter emission legislation is also being imposed there. Therefore EnviroTex™ adds to both companies’ product lines being one of many solutions to the need for emissions reduction and improved energy efficiency.”

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/26012015/flsmidth-and-haldor-topsoe-sign-cooperation-agreement-to-market-new-catalytic-filter-bag-technology-209/