Chemical Engineering
Next-generation encapsulation technology
Nucleic acid-based medications, such as mRNA vaccines, are opening up new therapeutic approaches. These active ingredients must be enclosed inside nanoparticles to ensure that they get to where they are needed inside the body’s cells. The Fraunhofer Institute for Production…
A versatile sorbent that can clean metals from wastewater at a lower cost
At the 2024 Spring Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE; www.aiche.org), a team from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL; www.netl.doe.gov) presented on a recently patented technology for the removal of critical and heavy metals from wastewater…
Extracting useful proteins from beer-brewing leftovers
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the most significant byproduct of the beer-brewing industry, making up 85% of the total waste. Globally, about 36.4 million ton/yr of spent grain are produced. This spent grain is typically discarded after its primary use…
Plant Watch: June 2024
Plant Watch Asahi Kasei starts operation of multi-module hydrogen pilot plant in Japan May 14, 2024 — Asahi Kasei Corp. (Tokyo; www.asahi-kasei.com) opened a new hydrogen pilot plant in Kawasaki, Japan. In the pilot plant, four 0.8-MW electrolyzer modules are…
Advanced Column Internals Support Energy Efficiency
New packings and trays encourage effectiveness and energy efficiency in traditional and emerging applications Equipment for distillation, absorption, stripping, extraction and phase separation plays a major role in the chemical process industries (CPI). However, separation processes are notoriously energy intensive,…
Lummus commercially launches renewable dimethyl ether technology
Lummus Technology (Houston) announced the commercial availability of CDDME, a new renewable dimethyl ether (DME) technology that is enhanced through catalytic distillation (CD). "Lummus has a leading market position and extensive commercial experience in ethers production, from small specialty applications…
LyondellBasell acquires 35% stake in Saudi Arabia’s NATPET
LyondellBasell (LYB; Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Alujain Corporation (Alujain) announced completion of the acquisition of a 35% interest in Saudi Arabia–based National Petrochemical Industrial Company (NATPET) by LYB from Alujain. The joint venture is enabled by LYB Spheripol polypropylene (PP)…
Wacker acquires Pennsylvania-based biotechnology firm
Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany) has acquired the manufacturing assets and know-how of U.S.-based Bio Med Sciences Inc. to expand its expertise and business in silicone-coated healthcare products. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed between WACKER and the Pennsylvania-based company.…
World’s first standalone alkylation complex reached completion at Next Wave Energy facility in Texas
Next Wave Energy Partners, LP (Next Wave) selected Elessent Clean Technologies, Inc. (Elessent) in 2019 to provide STRATCO alkylation technology at the world’s first stand-alone alkylation complex, which has now been completed. Situated in the heart of the Houston Ship…
Chart to provide hydrogen compression for Repsol hydrogen project in Portugal
Chart Industries has been chosen to supply its Howden hydrogen compression solutions to support Repsol’s €657 million expansion of its Sines industrial complex in Portugal. The expansion project is a strategic move towards achieving 100% recyclable high-value materials from two…