Processing & Handling
A direct, one-step enzymatic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol
The selective, one-step biocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol — at ambient pressure and temperature — has been demonstrated by professors Yoshihito Watanabe and Osamu Shoji at Nagoya University (Nagoya, Japan; bioinorg.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp). The achievement was made using a wild-type of…
A step toward ammonia production at ambient conditions
Many investigations are ongoing to achieve ammonia synthesis at energy-saving mild conditions instead of the high temperatures and pressures (500°C, 300 atm) required by the commonly used Haber-Bosch process, which consumes more than 1% of the world’s power production. Now,…
Two new sealless pumps for handling hazardous chemicals
Designed for general industrial applications, the new SLC4 (photo) and SLC8 models of the Seal-Less Drive Eccentric Disc Pumps line also handle numerous chemicals, such as isocyanates, polyols, additives, solvents, starches and glues, inks and resins, methacrylates and detergents. The…
A valve positioner for hygienic applications
The new intelligent positioner TopControl Basic, Type 8694 is designed for applications in hygienic process environments. With a compact design, it is optimized for integrated mounting on the company’s Element and Classic valve ranges, as well as third-party process valves.…
Chemical vapor deposition made easy
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is among the most reliable methods to produce large-area graphene films on different metal substrates with diverse carbon sources. The benchtop Thermal CVD Cube (photo) grows a bilayer graphene (BG) using a thermoplastic polymer as a…
Ethylene in FCC off-gas is upgraded to motor fuels
A typical fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC) generates about 200 tons/d of dry gas — a mixture of off-gases that is burned as refinery fuel. However, about 40 tons of that gas is ethylene, which would have much greater value…
This FCC process shown to enhance olefins production
JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. (JX_NOE; Tokyo, Japan; www.noe.jx-group.co.jp) has demonstrated enhanced propylene and butenes yields by its high-severity, fluid-catalytic cracking (HS-FCC) technology. In a 3,000-bbl/d semi-commercial plant, which has been operating at the company’s Mizushima Refinery since May…
A new globe valve is set for global launch in 2014
With the first phase launch of the Neles globe control valve (photo) in Asia Pacific, China and India, this company now plans a global launch to follow in 2014. The new globe valve builds and expands on technology and service…
This wet alarm valve has a new stainless-steel trim
The new Euro Trim Model E2 in stainless steel is designed for use with the company’s Model E and E3 Wet Alarm Valves (photo). This new trim has a rated working pressure of 175 psi and 300 psi, respectively, and…
A faster way to monitor particle contamination
The ADPC 302 (photo) is a unique, in-process contamination management system for particle contamination monitoring in the semiconductor industry. The system measures the number of particles in wafer-transport carriers, and its fully automated, patented process localizes and counts particles from…