Processing & Handling
This fatty-acid conversion process results in synthetic lubricant base oils
Biosynthetic Technologies (Irvine, Calif.; www.biosynthetic.com) has developed a continuous-flow process to convert any animal- or plant-based fatty acids with high oleic-acid content into synthetic esters that can be used in formulations for motor oils and industrial lubricants. These biosynthetic esters…
This on-purpose butadiene process takes a step closer to commercialization
Last month, The Linde Group (Pullach, Germany; www.linde.com) and BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) announced plans to cooperate in developing and licensing processes for the on-purpose production of linear butenes and butadiene. BASF has developed process technology and catalysts as…
A new slurry pump that handles high volumes
The new Wirth triplex double-acting piston diaphragm (TDPM) pump combines two well established and proven pumping principles for the transport of high volumes of abrasive slurry. The Wirth TDPM works on the triplex double-acting principle. It has flowrates of up…
This recirculation pump doesn’t need external cooling
Early this month, this company launched a new generation of hot-water recirculation pumps for large industrial heating systems as well as forced-circulation boilers and district heating systems. The horizontal, radially split single-stage volute casing pumps feature a back pull-out design.…
This blower is now even more energy efficient
The E-Blower extends the high-efficiency solution provided by the company’s Delta Hybrid series in the low volume flow range. The new E-Design delivers a reduction of power demand of up to 4%, depending on volume flow and pressure difference, says…
Compressors for Specialized Applications
Compressors for specialized chemical process industries (CPI) applications — particularly high-pressure applications (involving large- and medium-sized machines) and those calling for small compressor units — present particular challenges to system designers and operators. This article discusses a variety of engineering…
Imitating nature leads to a better catalyst
An inexpensive and scalable composite catalyst that is said to outperform platinum for oxygen reduction in metal-air batteries and fuel cells has been developed by a research team led by professor Jaephil Cho from Ulsan National Institute for Science and…
Using algae to make beta-1,3- glucan
With a separate algae-based technology, Algal Scientific has invented a sterile fermentation process for making beta-1,3-glucan from algae that has lower costs than those associated with fermenting the molecule with yeast. Beta-1,3-glucan is a polysaccharide that boosts immune-system function in…
Using algae to clean wastewater
Technology developed by Algal Scientific Corp. (Northville, Mich.; www.algalscientific.com) uses algae to remove soluble organics, nitrogen and phosphorous from medium- to high-strength wastewaters in a single step. The technology is an alternative to multistep treatment processes involving the use of…
This PEM fuel cell has H2 storage built-in
Conventional hydrogen-based systems designed to store electrical energy (from solar arrays, for example) typically feed electricity to a proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolyzer to generate H2 from water. This H2 is then compressed and stored in a cylinder, or as a metal…