Glycerol is an attractive bio-based platform chemical that can be converted to a variety of bio-based chemicals. We here report a catalytic co-conversion strategy where glycerol in combination with a second (bio-)feed (fatty acids, alcohols, alkanes) is used for the production of bio-based aromatics (BTX). Experiments were performed in a fixed bed reactor (10 g catalyst loading and WHSV of (co-)feed of 1 h-1) at 550 °C using a technical H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst. Synergistic effects of the co-feeding on the peak BTX carbon yield, product selectivity, total BTX productivity, catalyst life-time, and catalyst regenerability were observed and quantified. Best results were obtained for the co-conversion of glycerol and oleic acid (45/55 wt%), showing a peak BTX carbon yield of 26.7 C%. The distribution of C and H of the individual co-feeds in the BTX product was investigated using an integrated fast pyrolysis-GC-Orbitrap MS unit, showing that the aromatics are formed from both glycerol and the co-feed. The results of this study may be used to develop optimized co-feeding strategies for BTX formation. This journal is
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The catalytic conversion of glycerol to aromatics (GTA, e.g., benzene, toluene, and xylenes, BTX) over a shaped H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 (60/40 wt%) catalyst was investigated in a continuous fixed-bed reactor to study the addition of the Al2O3 binder in the catalyst formulation on catalyst performance. The experiments were performed under N2 at 550 °C, a WHSV of glycerol (pure) of 1 h−1, and atmospheric pressure. The spent H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalysts were reused after an oxidative regeneration at 680 °C and in total 5 reaction-regeneration cycles were performed. Catalyst characterization studies show that the addition of the Al2O3 binder does not affect the surface area and crystallinity of the formulation, but increases the total pore volume (mesopores in particular) and total acidity (Lewis acidity in particular). The H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 (60/40 wt%) catalyst shows a considerably prolonged catalyst life-time (8.5 vs. 6.5 h for H-ZSM-5), resulting in a significant increase in the total BTX productivity (710 vs. 556 mg g−1 H-ZSM-5). Besides, the addition of the Al2O3 binder retards irreversible deactivation. For instance, after 3 regenerations, catalyst performance is comparable to the fresh one. However, after 4 regenerations, some irreversible catalyst deactivation occurs, associated with a reduction in total pore volume, crystallinity, and acidity (Brønsted acidity in particular), and meso-porosity of the Al2O3 binder. This study shows that both the stability and reusability of H-ZSM-5-based catalysts for GTA are remarkably enhanced when using a suitable binder.
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A time- and space-resolved deactivation study on the conversion of glycerol to aromatics over H-ZSM-5 was performed. For this purpose, glycerol was vaporized/pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis section followed by a catalytic aromatization step. Benchmark performance showed an induction period of ca. 20 min, followed by a rather constant BTX yield of ca. 25.4 ± 2.2C.% for 3–4 h time on stream (TOS). Subsequently, a rapid drop in BTX yield was observed due to catalyst deactivation. Severe coking leads to coverage of catalyst surface area and blockage of micropores, particularly at the entrance of the catalyst bed at short TOS, indicating the presence of an axial coke gradient in the fixed bed reactor. At longer TOS, coke was formed throughout the bed and negligible BTX yield was shown to be associated with the presence of coke at all bed positions. Besides coking, the acidity of the catalyst was also reduced, and dealumination occurred, both with a similar time–space evolution. The results were explained by a conversion-zone migration model, which includes a deactivation zone (with severely coked catalyst), a conversion zone (BTX formation), and an induction zone (a.o. (de-)alkylation reactions), and describes the time- and space-resolved evolution of coking and relevant changes in other catalyst characteristics.
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From the article: "After 1993, the concept of strategic alignment is evaluated from the connection between IT and business to much broader definitions in which the connection between all business functions, horizontally and vertically, and later also with projects and stakeholders is mentioned. To achieve stategic alignment there must be a coordination between the strategy of organizations and those who contribute to the implementation of the strategy and the actual performance of an organization. This process is called Human Oriented Performance Management (HOPM). The HOPM model consists of four dimensions: strategy translation, information and visualization, dialogue and action orientation, and continues improvement and organizational learning. To measure the effect of strategic alignment a range of financial performance indicators are used. Based on a literature review this paper explores which financial performance indicators could be used to measure the effect of HOPM. The literature was selected over a period from 1996 – 2015. The research is not only focused on the top of the strategy map, but also on the cause-effect relationships in the strategy map. The underlying performance indicators in the strategy map can show on which figures the dialogue in the HOPM model about strategy implementation must be based. This dialogue is the input to action in which strategic alignment comes about. The goal of the research is to optimize this dialogue by looking for performance indicators that can show the effect of HOPM" The article is used for the course: 'corporate policy' minor MSMM (Masterclass Strategic Marketing Management).
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The catalytic conversion of oleic acid to aromatics (benzene, toluene, and xylenes, BTX) over a granular H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst (ϕ 1.2–1.8 mm, 10 g loading) was investigated in a continuous bench-scale fixed-bed reactor (10 g oleic acid h–1). A peak carbon yield of aromatics of 27.4% was obtained at a catalyst bed temperature of 550 °C and atmospheric pressure. BTX was the major aromatics formed (peak carbon yield was 22.7%), and a total BTX production of 1000 mg g–1 catalyst was achieved within a catalyst lifetime of 6.5 h for the fresh catalyst. The catalyst was deactivated due to severe coke deposition (ca. 22.1 wt % on the catalyst). The used catalyst was reactivated by an ex situ oxidative regeneration at 680 °C in air for 12 h. The regenerated catalyst was subsequently recycled, and in total, 7 cycles of reaction-regeneration were performed. A gradual decrease in the peak carbon yield of BTX was observed with reaction-regeneration cycles (e.g., to 16.3% for the catalyst regenerated for 6 times). However, the catalyst lifetime was remarkably prolonged (e.g., >24 h), leading to a significantly enhanced total BTX production (e.g., 3000 mg g–1 catalyst in 24 h). The fresh, used, and regenerated catalysts were characterized by N2 and Ar physisorption, XRD, HR-TEM-EDX, 27Al, and 29Si MAS ssNMR, NH3-TPD, TGA, and CHN elemental analysis. Negligible changes in textural properties, crystalline structure, and framework occurred after one reaction-regeneration cycle, except for a slight decrease in acidity. However, dealumination of the H-ZSM-5 framework was observed after 7 cycles of reaction-regeneration, leading to a decrease in microporosity, crystallinity, and acidity. Apparently, these changes are not detrimental for catalyst activity, and actually, the lifetime of the catalyst increases, rationalized by considering that coke formation rates are retarded when the acidity is reduced.
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With the rise of the knowledge-based economy, Higher Education Institutions not only have to produce (under)graduates that are skilled in their profession but who also are competent as knowledge workers. This study focused on the enabling competences of the knowledge worker. Our aim was to develop a framework of enabling competences of knowledge work and to devise instruments to help undergraduate students create awareness of their own areas of competence in relation to knowledge work. We developed a Personal Priority Questionnaire (PPQ) that can be used in a one hour facilitated group discussion, and a Personal Mastery Questionnaire (PMQ) that can be used for individual awareness raising. We did a preliminary test of the PPQ within the competence-based educational program of a university of professional education in The Netherlands and found that facilitated group discussion seems to be an effective method of raising awareness in relation to the competences of the knowledge worker
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Today, Intellectual Capital plays a principal role in the delivery of corporate performance. This importance is reflected in the fact that companies, without the force of any regulations, start to produce intellectual capital statements to communicate their performance; accounting guidelines are being developed and standards are being questioned and reviewed; software companies such as SAP, Hyperion, Oracle, or Peoplesoft are developing applications to address this, and even governments are beginning to measure the intellectual capital of cities, regions, and countries. Accenture writes that today's economy depends on the ability of companies to create, capture, and leverage intellectual capital faster than the competition. Cap Gemini Ernst & Young believes that intangibles are the key drivers for competitive advantage. KPMG states that most general business risks derive from intangibles and organizations therefore need to manage their intangibles very carefully. PricewaterhouseCoopers writes that in a globalized world, the intellectual capital in any organization becomes essential and its correct distribution at all organizational levels requires the best strategy integrated solutions, processes and technology. Even though the leading management consulting firms recognize the importance of intellectual capital – they seem to suffer from the same predicament as the field as a whole. Intellectual capital is defined differently and the concept is often fuzzy. In this special issue of the leading journal in the field we would like to bring together the definitions, approaches, and tools offered by the leading management consulting firms. It will be a unique opportunity to disseminate your understanding of this critical area of management and allow you to illustrate your approaches and tools.
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Hospitality organizations are particularly vulnerable to changes in demand caused by disruptive events such as natural catastrophes, geopolitical events, and pandemic diseases. Nevertheless, the development of organizational resilience by hospitality organizations has remained under-explored. The ongoing digitalization trend provides a unique opportunity for hospitality organizations to combine the adoption of digitalization tools with the development of data analytic capability as a way to anticipate disruptive events and mitigate their impact on operations and performance. Through a cross-sectional survey design and using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling, the present study demonstrates that hospitality organizations can improve their organizational resilience by developing data analytic capability. This can be achieved by (1) investing in the digital tools and IT infrastructure that allows them to sense their environment and (2) adapting their organizational infrastructure to quickly be able to use this information in decision-making. A limitation of the study lies in the use of cross-sectional data which limits temporal causality inferences.
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Hospitality organizations are particularly vulnerable to changes in demand caused by disruptive events such as natural catastrophes, geopolitical events, and pandemic diseases. Nevertheless, the development of organizational resilience by hospitality organizations has remained under-explored. The ongoing digitalization trend provides a unique opportunity for hospitality organizations to combine the adoption of digitalization tools with the development of data analytic capability as a way to anticipate disruptive events and mitigate their impact on operations and performance. Through a cross-sectional survey design and using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling, the present study demonstrates that hospitality organizations can improve their organizational resilience by developing data analytic capability. This can be achieved by (1) investing in the digital tools and IT infrastructure that allows them to sense their environment and (2) adapting their organizational infrastructure to quickly be able to use this information in decision-making. A limitation of the study lies in the use of cross-sectional data which limits temporal causality inferences.
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The use of H-ZSM-5 with various binders (Al2O3, SiO2, and kaolinite, 10 wt% on catalyst formulation) for the catalytic conversion of glycerol to bio-based aromatics (GTA) was investigated in a continuous bench-scale unit at a pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C, catalytic upgrading temperature of 500 °C, WHSV of pure glycerol of 1 h−1, and atmospheric pressure, and their performance was compared to H-ZSM-5 (SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 28). The latter gave a peak BTX carbon yield of ca. 31.1C.%, a life-time of ca. 220 min, and a total BTX productivity of ca. 312 mg BTX g−1H-ZSM-5. The introduction of binders affects catalyst performance, which is the most profound and promising for the H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst. It shows a prolonged catalyst life-time of ca. 320 min and a higher total BTX productivity of ca. 518 mg BTX g−1H-ZSM-5, compared to the H-ZSM-5 without a binder. Catalyst characterization studies show that the addition of the binder does not have a major effect on the specific surface area, total pore volume, and total acidity. Other relevant properties were affected, though, such as micropore volume (SiO2), a reduced Brønsted acidity (Al2O3, and SiO2), and reduced crystallinity (SiO2). Coke formation causes severe catalyst deactivation, ultimately leading to an inactive catalyst for BTX formation. Catalyst characterization studies after an oxidative regeneration showed that the textural properties of the regenerated catalysts were close to those of the original catalysts. However, some dealumination of H-ZSM-5 occurs, resulting in decreased crystallinity and acidity, causing irreversible deactivation, which needs attention in future catalyst development studies.
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