R & D Groups Working on Catalysis in Bulgaria

1. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

1.1 Institute of Catalysis

1.2. Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry

2. Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

3. Sofia University of Technology

4. Bourgas University of Technology

1. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

1.1.Institute of Catalysis

Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Acad. G. Bonchev str. blo k 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel. (+359-2) 75-61-16, (359-2) 713-25-51
Fax (+359 -2) 75-61-16
E-mail:

History
The Institute of Catalysis of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was founded in 1983.

Structure
Director - Prof. L.A. Petrov, DSc.
Tel. 70-21-81, 713-25-68
E-mail:
Chairman of the Scientific Council - Prof. L. Petrov, DSc.

Laboratories
Heterogeneous Catalysis and Catalysts, Assoc.Prof. N.Neshev, Ph.D.
Heterogeneous Catalytic Reaction Kinetics, Prof. L. Petrov, DSc
Catalysis by Zeolites, Assoc. Prof. N. Davidova, Ph.D. Catalysis by Supported Metals, Assoc. Prof. G. Kadinov, Ph.D.
Catalysis in Petrochemistry, Assoc. Prof. A. Spozhakina, Ph.D.
Molecular Catalysis, Assoc. Prof. V.Iliev, Ph.D.
Electron Spin Resonance in Catalysis, Prof. N. Yordanov, DSc
Chemical Stabilization, Assoc. Prof. S. Rakovski, Ph.D.

Service Units
Electronic, mechanical, and glassblowing workshops and pilot plant facilities

Personnel
86 employees work for this institution, including 2 Full Professors, 14 Associat e Professors and 35 Research Fellows, 15 Chemists, 7 PhD Student.

Research Topics
Catalytic reaction mechanisms
Catalytic reaction kinetics under steady and non-steady state conditions
Non-linear phenomena in catalysis and oscillations Catalyst selection: theory and practice Novel industrial catalysts
Catalyst carriers and adsorbents Zeolites: synthesis and catalytic applications Catalyst deactivation Homogeneous catalysis and catalysis by complexes Physical chemistry of surfaces Quantum chemical methods applied to catalytic and surface phenomena Tribology

Techniques and Instrumentation
ESR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, Moessbauer spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV including diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy
Electron microscopy
X-ray analysis
Kinetic methods under steady and non-steady state conditions including temperatu re-programmed desorption, reduction and oxidation Adsorption and gravimetric methods combined with IR spectroscopy of adsorbed spe cies.
Differential scanning calorimetry Gas-chromatography and its application in catalysis High-pressure liquid chromatography.
Theoretical methods: quantum chemistry, statistical physics, solid state theory. Experimental data computer processing Laboratory and pilot tests of industrial catalysts Ozone titration Chemiluminescence analysis Mass spectrometry

Catalytic Processes of Interest
Reactions with hydrogen: hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, isomerization, hydrotre atment olefin disproportionation Reactions with oxygen: selective olefin oxidation, selective alcohol oxidation, CO oxidation, complete oxidation of organic compounds, thiol and S2- ion oxidati on Methane and light paraffins activation Methanol and higher alcohols synthesis from CO and H2, water-gas shift reaction Reactions of ozone with organic compounds: selection and preparation of catalyti c and inhibitory systems Catalysts studied: metals, metal oxides, metal sulfides, zeolites, transition me tal complexes, organometallic complexes.

Technologies Implemented in Industry - 36
Two catalyst factories (Chimco company, Vratza, and Neftochim company, Bourgas) have been designed under the scientific guidance of co-workers from the Institut e of Catalysis.

Publications - Papers - over 1200, Books - 15, Patents - over 100

1.2. Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry

1.2.1. Laboratory Chemical problems of environmental protection

Acad G. Bonchev St. bl. 11
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

Head : Professor Dimitar Rusev Mehandjiev, DSc.
Tel: 359-2-70-32-54
Fax: 359-2-7 0-50-24
E-mail:

Total staffing (21 persons)
Professor 1, Associate Professors 3.
Research Fellows 8, Specialists 7, Technicians 2

Research Topics
Synthesis and characterization of wide number of adsorbents and catalysts. The catalyst systems are mainly designed for neutralization of harmful components lik e nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and organic compounds in waste gases. Development of new adsorption methods for characterization of adsorbents and catalyst supports. Magnetochemistry of solids.

Techniques and Instrumentation
Apparatus for catalytic measurements (using transient response technique); NDIR Gas-analyzers for NO/NOx, N2O, CO, CO2, Gas-chromatographs with CD and PID.
Apparatus for adsorption measurements (characterization of adsorbents, catalyst supports and catalysts)
Apparatus for magnetic measurements; ERS, IR, FTIR and UV-V is instruments.

1.2.2. Laboratory of Synthesis and Reactivity of Oxide Systems

Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 11
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.(+359) 2 7248 01
Fax: (+359) 2 705024
Telex: achban 22 729
E-mail:
Contact person: Prof. D. Klissurski, Tel. (+359) 2 724 801

Description of Available Catalytic Materials
Complex oxids molbdate catalysts for selective oxidation
Spinel catalysts for oxidation
Oxid catalysts for total oxidation of organic compounds
Oxid catalysts for selective methanol oxidation

Performance of available catalytic materials
The developed catalysts posses high activity and selectivity in the processes mentioned above.

Other research topics in the group
Scientific fundamentals of catalyst preparations
Oxidative catalysts
Ecological catalysts

1.2.3. Institute of Electronics - Laboratory "Plasma Physics and Engineering"

Tzarigradsko Chaussee Blvd. 72
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
Contact person : Prof. Eng. Gheorgy Petrov Vissokov Dsc, Tel: (+359) 2 7431 329, Fax (+359) 2 975 3201 e-mail:

Total staffing of 4 Research Fellows

Research Topics
Plasmachemically synthesis and/or regeneration of catalysts for heterogeneous catalytic processes and a comprehensive phisyco-chemical analysis of the catalyst

Techniques and Instrumentation
Plasma-chemical aparatus for preparation or regeneration of catalysts behaviour electric-arc low-temperature plasma

2. Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

Department of Organic Chemistry, Laboratory of Organic Catalysis, Faculty of Che mistry

J. Bourchier Blvd. 1
1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel. (+359) 262561 ext. 24 9
FAX: (+359) 2 622 808
Contact person : Assoc. Prof. Ts. Bezouhanova, Tel. (+359) 2 62561 249

Research Topics
Novelty of potential catalytic processes based on the above materials Dehidrogenation of alcohols over HZSM-5 catalysts Selective alkylation of aromatic compounds over HZSM-5 catalysts Other research topics in the group Influence of modification of HZSM-5 catalysts on their activity and selectivity.

3. Sofia University of Technology

Department of Inorganic Technology, Laboratory of Theoretical Fundamentals of In organic Catalytic Processes.

8 Kliment Ohridski blvd.
1156 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel. (+359) 262441, ext . 478
Fax: (+359) 2 685 488
Contact person : Prof. D. Shishkov, Tel. (+359) 2 62441, ext. 478

Research Topics
Description of Available Catalytic Materials.
Low temperature catalysts for water gas shift reaction.
Catalysts for conversion of methane.
Adsorbent ZnO for H2S adsorption.
Al2O3 as catalyst carrier.
Water gas shift reaction of CO.
Synthesis of methanol and high alcohols.

4. Bourgas University of Technology

Department of Physical Chemistry.

8000 Bourgas
Bulgaria
Tel. (+359) 56 684 147
Fax: (+359)56 86 141
Telex: 83 689
Contact person : Prof. D. Damyanov, Tel. (+359) 56 684 147

Research Topics
Description of Available Catalytic Materials.
Catalysts for ethilene polymerization.
Al2O3 as catalyst carrier.
Performance of available catalytic materials.
The catalysts mentioned above posses high activity and selectivity.
Novelty of potential catalytic processes based on the above materials.
Preparation by monolayer deposition Other research topics in the group.
Bimetallic Catalysts for reforming of gasoline fractions.