Producing chemicals and fuels by fermentation of renewable feedstocks can offer improved sustainability, lower costs and greater safety compared to conventional thermal processes. But realizing these benefits depends on a careful assessment of the process economics, and an understanding of…
This column is based on “Polybutadiene Production via Solution Process – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/polybutadiene-production-cost. Polybutadiene (also known as butadiene rubber) is produced from the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene. In terms of…
Paying closer attention to the air-filtration systems of pneumatic conveying operations can avoid losses in efficiency in compressed-air usage during filter cleaning The inefficient use of compressed air in solids-handling processes, such as pneumatic conveying, can waste a significant amount…
By focusing on ignition sources, such as static discharges, and housekeeping, facilities handling solids can minimize their risk for combustible dust explosions Dust explosions in industrial facilities can cause injuries, destruction of property, and — as history will attest —…
Corrosion can never be totally stopped, but significantly slowing its progress can be achieved if analyzers rapidly detect out-of-spec conditions. For a prominent European chemical company, switching from slow electrolytic sensors to almost real-time moisture analysis has made a significant…
Process conditions in chemical production are often challenging for in-line instrumentation. EasyClean™ 200 e is a robust and automated sensor cleaning system that helps keep pH probes operating at their best, and can increase their lifetime by more than 30…
The following titles are selected recently published books relevant for professionals in the chemical process industries (CPI) . . . Chemical Engineering in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Drug Product Design, Development, and Modeling 2nd ed. Edited by Mary Am Ende, and David…
Microalgae have been investigated as a source of “bio-crude” — fatty acid molecules (lipids) that can be refined into renewable transportation fuels — but harvesting lipids from the algae cells economically remains the most challenging and energy-intensive step in the…
A catalyst that performs low-temperature reforming of methane with carbon dioxide (dry methane reforming) into synthesis gas (syngas) has been developed by Japanese researchers, led by Hideki Abe at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS, Tsukuba City, www.nims.go.jp), in…
Borne out of a cancer research project at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge; www.mit.edu), a new enzymatic process technology can co-produce gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide without the safety risks and complexity of typical large-scale peroxide-manufacturing processes. Solugen Inc. (Houston;…