Processing & Handling
A one-step, phosgene-free route to urethane
Researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technologys (AIST) Interdisciplinary Research Center for Catalytic Chemistry (Tsukuba, Japan; www.aist.go.jp) have developed a new reaction process to synthesize aromatic urethane — a promising starting material for the production of…
This new material repels oil and water
Meanwhile, a new class of highly fluorinated polymers is being developed at the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT; Karlsruhe, Germany; www.kit.edu) that repels both water and oil. Last month, IMT was awarded €2.85 million funding…
Moving to Modular
If the word “modular” brings to mind a trailer office parked on site, it’s time to revisit modular systems. Today’s modular system go well beyond office space and tool sheds, and can contain almost anything from a skid-mounted filtration system…
Tunable Enzymes and the Leaner, Greener CPI
Enzymes, nature’s catalysts, have been used in industrial processes for centuries. Now, they are coming into their own in the chemical process industries (CPI). As green chemistry becomes an industry mantra, pressures to reduce product cost, facility carbon footprint and…
Methane Reforming: A Guide
A wide range of factors must be taken into account before selecting the most appropriate reforming technology From the agrochemicals sector to steel production, from petroleum refineries to chemicals production — many sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI) would…
Controlling Suspension Rheology
The physical characteristics of dispersed particles have a large impact on overall rheological properties Many important products of the chemical process industries (CPI) exist as suspensions or dispersions of particles in liquid media. Examples range from adhesives, ceramics, paints and…
Solar-electric hybrid furnace could enable improved magnesium processing
A new high-temperature reactor that can draw power from conventional electricity as well as from a solar-thermal heating system could enable a cleaner, lower-energy route to lightweight magnesium alloys. The custom-made reactor was built by thermal processing equipment company Harper…
Generating power from kerosene and ammonia
The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST; Tsukuba City, Japan; www.aist.go.jp), in collaboration with Tohoku University (www.tohoku.ac.jp), succeeded in demonstrating what is said to be the world’s first ammonia-fired power. The achievement was carried out in a…
A laboratory vacuum-processing unit for small batches
The Frymix II Lab vacuum-processing unit is suitable for developing new formulations and producing very small batch sizes. The laboratory version has a usable volume of 4–12 L. The machine complies with all cGMP (current good manufacturing practices) and GAMP…
These actuators now support HART communication
A HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) interface option is now available for this company’s AC.2 and ACExC.2 controls. The adoption of the HART protocol is said to strengthen the company’s position as a provider of a comprehensive range of leading-edge…