Processing & Handling
Making Pump Maintenance Mandatory
One of the key components in the operational success of chemical process industries (CPI) facilities is the transfer pump. These pumps must handle a wide variety of materials under a broad range of operating conditions. These diverse operational conditions may…
A booster for quick, precise control of large valves
In most process control applications, larger valves tend to be fitted with pneumatic actuators that provide significant positioning forces. In these situations, the positioner is used to precisely position the valve by filling the actuator with the corresponding amount of…
Improved LPLC with this metering pump
The new EcoPrime metering pump delivers a precise flowrate in low-pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC) systems, and provides a linear gradient between 0.5 and 99.5% — with 0.5% accuracy. Traditional systems only work linearly over a range between 20 and 70%,…
A new control head for process valves
The 8681 control head was developed for decentral automation of hygienic seat valves, butterfly valves and ball valves. It supplements the company’s Element Series of control heads, digital positioners and process controllers for diaphragm, angle seat and globe valves. The…
Connect three condensers from one tap with this manifold
The new three-way Water Manifold enables researchers to connect three water-cooled condensers to a single water supply. With the main body constructed of anodized aluminum, the manifold is designed to be clamped to fume hood scaffolding in either vertical or…
Waste-to-ethanol plant on pace for mid-2012 operation
Impending standards requiring that cellulosic ethanol be used in gasoline blending have focused attention on building a capacity for bioethanol from non-food sources. In a development that may begin to meet that need, a plant employing a unique method for…
U.S. production is scheduled for a critical metal
China produces about 98% of the world’s electrolytic manganese metal (EMM), a vital ingredient used in specialty steels, aluminum and electronics. In contrast, the U.S. produces no EMM, says Nick Weir, an executive with U.S. American Manganese Inc. (AMY; White…
A high-performance electrode material for lithium-ion batteries
A huge market for lithium ion batteries is expected to develop as car makers move toward electric vehicles. However, improvements in the batteries’ energy and power density are needed. It is also desirable to replace the common, high-cost lithium cobalt…
Making crude oil from coal, without mining or combustion
An underground coal-to-liquids (UCTL) technology is undergoing pilot testing at Oak Park, near Melbourne Australia, where a metric ton of brown coal is expected to yield about one barrel of oil suitable for use as refinery feedstock on an oil-parity…
Dewatering enzymes boost ethanol production efficiency
A technique that improves the efficiency of ethanol plants by lowering the cost of dewatering the byproduct stillage (a slurry of corn solids and water) from the fermentation process has been developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s…