Processing & Handling
Gas Sparging
Sparging refers to the process of injecting a gas through a diffuser into a liquid phase. It is used in both physical and chemical process applications. In physical process applications, the gas is used to either dissolve gas into liquid…
Reciprocating Compressors: Startup and Capacity Control Methods
There are two main reasons why compressor capacity regulation is used. The most prevalent reason is to adjust the suction flow to match the process demand. The second reason is to save energy. As a rule, capacity control is determined…
This osmium-based catalyst is rendered nontoxic by polymer incarceration
Professor Shu Kobayashi and his research group at The School of Science, University of Tokyo (Japan; www.chem.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/users/synorg/index_E.html) have developed an osmium-based catalyst for performing asymmetric syntheses of drug precursors. While showing the same catalytic performance of its predecessor — a…
A more-efficient Fischer-Tropsch reactor
The production rate (per amount of catalyst) for generating liquid hydrocarbons from syngas by the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process, using a slurry reactor or tubular reactor, is generally limited to about 30% of the maximum rate. The restraining factor is heat…
Knowledge-based approach to catalyst development
Petroleum-derived ethylene normally contains traces of acetylene, which interferes with the conversion of ethylene into polyethylene (PE). Because it is difficult to separate it, the acetylene is selectively hydrogenated to ethylene — without subsequent hydrogenation to ethane — using a…
Making synthetic rubber from biomass
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (www.ajinomoto.com) and Bridgestone Corp. (Both Tokyo, Japan; www.bridgestone.com) have jointly developed a bio-based, high- cis-polyisoprene synthetic rubber. The two companies began an R&D cooperation in June 2011 to combine their know-how — Ajinomoto’s state-of-the-art fermentation technologies for…
Focus on Pipes & Fittings
A tube welder for sterile biopharmaceutical applications Sartorius Stedim Biotech The Biowelder Total Containment (TC) system features innovative technology that permits sterile connection of liquid-liquid thermoplastic tubing that has an outer diameter of up to 1 in. and that is…
A rubber liner prevents wear in this mixer
Materials that tend to harden during mixing cause rapid wear of the machines. The new continuous-motion Druvaflex Ploughshare mixer was developed with such applications in mind. The Ploughshare mixer was equipped with a vessel made of multi-layered, reinforced rubber. Due…
This butterfly valve has a PTFE lining
This leading manufacturer of plastic-lined valves and process pumps has expanded its product range of shut-off and control butterfly valves. The company now offers valves with a PTFE disc/stem unit to DN 750 (30 in.) or with a metallic disc/stem…
The service life of this pumps is long, and it’s easy to service
For pumping demanding materials, this company has launched the IQ series, a low-maintenance product that is easy to use and has low operating costs. The IQ series is designed for industrial applications, wastewater treatment plans and tanker trucks or mobile…