A program to develop ionic liquids and formulations to improve the performance and efficiency of solar cells has been initiated by BASF AG (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and G24 Innovations, Ltd. (G24i; Cardiff, Wales; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6901-545). G24i produces photovoltaic cells that use the…
China will likely achieve and may even exceed its target to obtain 15% of its energy from renewables by 2020, according to a new report released by the Worldwatch Institute (www.worldwatch.org). If China's commitment to diversifying its energy supply and…
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released Appendix A of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), a critical element of its chemical security efforts. The appendix contains a list of chemicals that, if possessed by a facility…
While the Pennant ECS can be put to multiple applications, multi-bagger benefits accrue with its ability to convert both saturated and superheated steam into clean electrical energy. Typically, the ECS is used in parallel with a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)…
Silverado Green Fuel, Inc. (Vancouver BC, Canada; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6900-533) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Mississippi Development Authority (Jackson) to build a demonstration plant in Choctaw County to produce a clean-burning “green” liquid fuel from the state’s…
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (Washington, D.C.) has launched a new Internet resource to help smaller companies answer food-safety questions and help food processors make science-based food-production decisions. Available at www.ars.usda.gov/naa/errc/mfsru/portal, the portal is said to be one of the…
DuPont (Wilmington, Del.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6900-531) has acquired hydrotreating technology for desulfurizing motor fuels and hydrocracking intermediate refinery streams from Process Dynamics, Inc. (Fayetteville, Ark.). The IsoTherming Hydroprocessing Technology differs from other hydrotreating processes in that hydrogen is dissolved in the liquid…
Rotec Design Ltd. (Brisbane, Queens-land, Australia; edlinks.chemengonline.com/ 6900-539), has filed a provisional patent application for an “Improved low heat rejection, high efficiency engine.” The engine is an improvement on the company’s Rotec EnviroDiesel Design (REDD), claimed to be the world’s…
Although halons (brominated or chlorinated fluorocarbons) are widely used as fire suppressants and foaming agents, they also contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion. However, halons are potentially valuable chemicals that should not be destroyed, but rather converted to reusable chemicals, says…
The Spanish subsidiary of the Global Power Group of Foster Wheeler, Ltd. (Hamilton, Bermuda; edlinks.chemengonline.com/6900-545) has signed an agreement with the Fundación Ciudad de la Energía for the technological development of an oxycombustion process and CO2-capture solution for a coal-fired…