CLARIANT, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has announced the launch of their new ShiftMax 120 HCF catalyst.

The enhanced high temperature shift (HTS) catalyst avoids health and safety risks in ammonia and hydrogen production as it contains essentially no hexavalent chromium (Cr6+).

This was tested and confirmed by the independent institute, Seibersdorf Laboratories, according to OECD test No29.

ShiftMax 120 HCF is thus fully compliant with Reach regulations of the European Community (Annex XIV to EC No 1907/2006), which will inhibit the sale of compounds containing Cr6+ beyond a very low threshold, a company release says.

Clariant’s ShiftMax 120 HCF is the successor to ShiftMax 120, one of the most widely used HTS catalysts in the syngas industry with 30 years of proven performance in terms of activity and longevity.

The new catalyst is practically identical to its predecessor after initial activation.

It provides the same advantages with regard to low operating temperatures and CO leakages, excellent mechanical stability, especially during plant upsets, and long service life. It is also very effective in preventing Fischer-Tropsch byproduct formation when operating at low steam to gas conditions, the release adds.

The key difference between the two catalysts is that the new production process reduces the content of hexavalent chromium to non-detectable levels (<200 ppm), thereby eliminating health and safety concerns during handling and commissioning.

ShiftMax 120 HCF has already been successfully installed in several hydrogen plants. No special startup procedures are required to control the exothermic reaction of hexavalent to trivalent chromium, the company says.

The boiling water standard test (BWST) was performed on ShiftMax 120 and the new ShiftMax 120 HCF.

No broken tablets or drop in crush strength were detected for either catalyst. In contrast to the water phase of SM 120, the liquid did not turn yellow in the case of SM 120 HCF, confirming the absence of hexavalent chromium.