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Processing & Handling

NACE-compliant check valves for high pressures

This new range of high-pressure check valves is constructed of corrosion-resistant materials that are compliant with the National Assn. of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) MR0175/ISO15156 standards, which makes them suitable for harsh-duty applications, such as chemical injection in oil-tool applications. The…

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Gas-Liquid Mixing: Physical Considerations

Gas-liquid reactors in the chemical process industries (CPI) have increasingly been designed to handle larger manufacturing scales. Since gas-liquid reactors can represent substantial capital and operating costs for the user, optimizing mixing and maximizing productivity are critical. The need for…

Single-use bioreactors for cell culture applications

UniVessel SU (photo) is a single-use bioreactor with 2-L working volume for small-scale protein expressions or process-optimization studies involving mammalian, insect and plant-cell cultures. The reactor is irradiated prior to delivery and is designed to the same safety standards required…

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A glass flow reactor is now available in ceramic

Last month, Corning SAS (Avon, France), a subsidiary of Corning Inc. (Corning, N.Y.; www.corning.com), introduced the Advanced-Flow G4 Ceramic Reactor — the latest addition to the company’s line of glass flow reactors. The G4 is made of sintered-ceramic fluidic modules…

Plastic transition fittings with metal threads

This company has launched new pipe transition fittings made of plastic with internal and external threads of metal. The transition fitting is sealed with an EPDM O-ring, which also protects against distortion and damage to the plastic during installation. The…

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A new urea process slated for its commercial debut

Stamicarbon B.V. (Sittard, the Netherlands; www.stamicarbon.com), the licensing and IP Center of Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. (www.mairetecnimont.it), has recently signed a license agreement with Tierra del Fuego Energia Y Quimica S.A., an Argentina based company controlled by shareholders from China. The…

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A continuous process that promises to slash the cost of making bioethanol

A compact, inexpensive and energy-saving continuous process to make bioethanol is being developed by professor Yoshio Katakura at Kansai University (Osaka; microbial.life-bio.kansai-u.ac.jp), in collaboration with the Kinki Bio-industry Development Organization (Osaka), Kansai Chemical Engineering Co. (Amagasaki), and Akita National College…

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Magnetic-shape-memory alloy offers alternative to traditional actuators

A novel nickel-manganese-gallium alloy, introduced by Goodfellow Corp. (Oakdale, Pa.; www.goodfellowusa.com), elongates in a magnetic field, allowing the conversion of magnetic field energy into kinetic energy. The material offers an alternative to conventional actuators, and could find other uses in…

"Pump Wisdom" book reviewed by consultant Grossel

Pump Wisdom: Problem Solving for Operators and Specialists By Heinz P. Bloch. John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Web: wiley.com. 2011. 224 pages. $49.95. Reviewed by Stanley S. Grossel, Process safety and design consultant, Clifton,…

Consider these diaphragm pumps when space is limited

A PTFE diaphragm permits compact construction of this diaphragm pump, and offers cost savings for high-pressure applications. A patented pressure-supported diaphragm-fixation system is used, so that the fixation is structurally prevented from expanding during the pressure stroke. No auxiliary seal…