Processing & Handling
Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz receives order for chlor-alkali plant in France
Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz GmbH (CAC; Germany) is building a chlor-alkali electrolysis plant for KEM ONE (Lyon, France), Europe's second largest manufacturer of polyvinylchloride (PVC). The €57-million contract is said to be the largest order of this kind in the history of…
Spotlight on hydrogen
Driven by climate-related concerns, interest in hydrogen for its potential to play a significant role in decarbonization is surging. An increased urgency to get on track with decarbonization targets set by governments and corporations for the next few decades has…
Renewable dimethyl ether plant planned
Engineering design is underway for a new plant for making renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) from biogas produced by agricultural digesters or derived from landfills. Project developer Oberon Fuels (San Diego, Calif.; www.oberonfuels.com) is basing the new plant on its existing…
Chementator Briefs
Drive & Charge The R&D teams from Holcim Ltd. (Zug, Switzerland; www.holcim.com) and Magment GmbH (Oberhaching, Germany; www.magment.co) have developed a unique concrete with high magnetic permeability, which enables electric vehicles to recharge wirelessly while in motion. Known as inductive…
Reducing the carbon footprint of quicklime production
Decomposing limestone (CaCO3) into quicklime (burnt limestone; CaO) releases significant CO2 emissions, both from the combustion of fuel needed to heat the kiln to temperatures over 1,000°C, and by the release of CO2 from the reaction itself (CaCO3 → CaO…
Technology Profile: Allyl chloride production
Allyl chloride (3-chloropropene; Figure 1) is primarily used almost exclusively as a chemical intermediate in the production of epichlorohydrin. A three-carbon epoxide, epichlorohydrin is used in the manufacture of epoxy resins prevalent in coatings, adhesives, and plastics. Epichlorohydrin is also…
Selecting Expansion Joints in CPI Applications
In order to maximize longevity and minimize process downtime, it is imperative to understand the factors that determine the proper selection of expansion joints. The following guidelines can help with selection decisions for expansion joints Although sometimes overlooked or treated…
Optimizing Vapor Recovery from Storage Tanks
Light hydrocarbons in storage tanks can vaporize and vent to the atmosphere, creating harmful emissions. An optimized vapor-recovery unit can effectively and economically reduce such emissions In the chemicals, petroleum refining and natural gas industries, storage vessels are used to…
Large-scale production of insect proteins from waste
Agronutris (Saint Orens de Gameville, France; www.agronutris.com) has selected Bühler AG (Uzwil, Switzerland; www.buhlergroup.com) as its process-solution provider for its first commercial-scale black-soldier-fly plant. Bühler will deliver a full-scope solution for the facility, which will be built in Rethel, France.…
An electrochemical process for producing and recycling VRFB electrolytes
Electrochem Technologies & Materials Inc. (Montreal, Canada; www.electrochem-technologies.com) has recently patented its process for the production and recycling of all vanadium electrolytes (VE) used in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). This electrochemical technology offers a sound and profitable alternative to…