Portfolio news 2012 Oxford Catalysts Group plc - New experimental facility opens at PTT R&D site 17 Apr 2012

New experimental facility for microchannel reactor testing and development opens at the PTT R&D site in Thailand

A new experimental facility for testing microchannel reactors has begun operations at the PTT Research and Technology Institute in Wangnoi, Ayutthaya, Thailand, approximately 70 km north of Bangkok. The new facility, which is operated by PTT, the Thai National Energy Company, was set up under the terms of a research collaboration with Velocys, Inc., the US-based member of the Oxford Catalysts Group, and is designed specifically to test microchannel reactors for gas to liquids (GTL) applications.

The facility, which is manned by 8 research staff from PTT, is linked to Velocys via a computer network to enable Velocys researchers to access experimental data in real time. This will make it possible for Velocys to analyse various aspects of catalyst performance and to optimise and validate the long-term performance of its microchannel steam methane reforming (SMR) reactors, an important element in the Group's modular GTL technology. It will also enable PTT staff to gain valuable experience in the use of microchannel GTL technology, and provide them with the data necessary to carry out detailed engineering evaluations of modular GTL facilities.

PTT are particularly interested in the Group's modular GTL technology as a means to monetise associated gas from on-shore wells that is currently disposed of by flaring.

Ratanavalee In-Ochanon, PTT Executive Vice President says: "PTT is strongly committed to working with Velocys to develop its technology for microchannel GTL. The new microchannel research facilities at Wangnoi will play an important role in bringing this technology towards commercialisation, and we are very pleased to know that our new research facility will help to bring this about."

Jeff McDaniel, Commercial Director at the Oxford Catalysts Group says: "The new PTT facility at Wangnoi will enable us to work closely with PTT to carry out basic research and testing of microchannel reactor capabilities. This collaboration will provide valuable help as we commercialise our modular GTL technology. We are looking forward to a long-term relationship working with PTT. "

Notes to Editors

For further information or to obtain pictures, please contact:  

Oxford Catalysts Group plc Jeff McDaniel, Commercial Director	+1-614-733-3319; info@oxfordcatalysts.com
FTI Consulting Billy Clegg/ Alex Beagley	+44-20-7831-3113

Notes to Editors

Oxford Catalysts designs and develops technology for the production of clean synthetic fuels from both conventional fossil fuels and renewable sources such as bio-waste. The Group is primarily focused on the emerging market for distributed scale production of synthetic fuels via Fischer-Tropsch ("FT") synthesis

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