Chemical Engineering
Extending the Life of Legacy Rotary Dryers
Rotary dryers are often in operation for many decades after their initial commissioning. This article provides a decision framework to consider whether to upgrade, repair or replace an aging rotary dryer Rotary dryers are fundamental to ensuring product quality and…
Self-Neutralization of Nitric Acid Wastewater in a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Harnessing the alkalinity generation during denitrification in the treatment of acidic wastewater from a chemical-manufacturing facility in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) results in self-neutralization, offering cost savings and other benefits Facilities throughout the chemical process industries (CPI) produce large…
Overcoming Material-Transfer Challenges in Food Processing Applications
A customized material-transfer unit was designed for the in-house supply and transport of raw materials, seamlessly linking the process steps of dietary supplement manufacturing while minimizing contamination and dust The stringent demands of the food industry create significant challenges for…
Bulk-Solids Storage and Flow: Silos and Stockpiles
This article provides guidance on the selection and sizing of silos and stockpiles in bulk-solids-handling operations, and clarifies misconceptions surrounding gravity-reclaim storage systems for bulk-solids materials Gravity-reclaim systems for bulk-solids handling rely solely on gravity to withdraw material from storage…
Alignment on worker chemical safety
In the U.S., worker chemical safety is a key concern at a wide range of industrial facilities. The current regulatory framework for worker chemical safety is overseen by two federal agencies: traditionally, by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA;…
Refinery-grade crude oils can be made from biogenic waste using this technology
A pre-commercial plant is now providing operational data for eventual scaleup and industrial integration of a technology that generates refinery-grade crude oils from biogenic waste, such as agricultural and forestry waste and sewage sludge. The 12-ton/d demonstration plant (photo), built…
New electrochemical route to critical chemicals is scaling up with significant industrial support
A new electrochemical process developed by French-American startup firm Dioxycle (Paris, France; Menlo Park, Calif.; www.dioxycle.com) produces critical chemicals from industrial by-products and electricity, independent from fossil-fuel imports. Recently, the company announced the deployment of their platform for the conversion…
Printable gel electrolytes support bespoke battery architectures
Unlike conventional liquid electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are immobilized within a polymer network, which reduces leakage risks, thereby improving mechanical and thermal stability. However, current methods for GPE fabrication result only in two-dimensional planar films,…
SLB to acquire thermal management firm Kelvion for around $3.4 billion
SLB N.V. (Houston, Tex.) announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Kelvion Holding GmbH (Herne, Germany), a global provider of thermal management and heat exchange technologies. The acquisition strengthens SLB's Data Center Solutions business with critical thermal management technologies…
Air Products expands hydrogenation capabilities at Allentown chemicals and refinery process lab
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Allentown, Pa.), the world's largest supplier of hydrogen, today announced that it has expanded the hydrogenation capabilities of its state-of-the-art Chemicals and Refinery Process Lab located at its Global Corporate Headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania. "The…