Chemical Engineering
Energizing the CPI
The first issue of this publication in September of 1902, then titled Electrochemical Industry, contained this statement from professor C.F. Burgess: “Chemical manufacturing was a number of years ago considered best developed when the processes were so simple that no…
Incremental Electrification Drives Sustainability
For decarbonization of chemical processing sites, electrification opens a new world of efficiencies and cost benefits The industrial sector is responsible for one-third of the world’s end-use energy consumption, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA; Washington,…
Patented technology captures real-time ‘hyperspectral’ images
The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M; Spain; www.uc3m.es) has patented a new system for capturing hyperspectral images — those capable of collecting information across a broad frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum (near-infrared, mid-infrared and terahertz). The system can…
Bulk Solids Centers Support Research and Education
Bulk-solids handling is a critical aspect of many product manufacturing processes throughout the CPI, but the field is often underappreciated. Research centers that specialize in bulk-solids handling and particle technology are important resources for expanding knowledge and solving technical challenges…
Using a ‘green’ oxidizer to degrade Kraft lignin into vanillin
The demand for vanillin vastly outstrips the natural resources of this flavoring agent. A chemical process is thus used to produce the required large quantities of vanillin from petroleum, which is far less expensive than obtaining the substance from fermented…
Pneumatic Conveying Basics
Pneumatic conveying is a versatile method for transporting powders and other solid materials within chemical process plants. Success depends on understanding science and applying specific experience Undergraduate engineering programs include little instruction about powder handling. While there may be some…
Kraton announces SBS copolymer capacity expansion in Ohio
Kraton Corp. (Houston) announced a significant expansion of its styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers (SBS) supply capability at its Belpre, Ohio facility starting in 2024. The production capacity is expected to increase by 24,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) by 2025. "We…
Saint-Gobain to sell its glass-processing business in Switzerland
Saint-Gobain (Courbevoie, France) has signed a binding agreement for the sale of its glass processing business Glassolutions in Switzerland to the privately-owned German group AEQUITA. The business generated sales of around €25 million in 2022 and employs approximately 70 people…
SP Chemicals selects Lummus’ Catofin and Novolen Technologies
Lummus Technology (Houston) announced an integrated technology award from SP Chemicals and its subsidiary SP Olefins. SP Chemicals will license Lummus' CATOFIN® technology for a new 800,000-ton/yr propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit, and SP Olefins will license Lummus' Novolen technology for a new…
Umicore steps up solid-state battery technology development with investment in Blue Current
Umicore N.V. (Brussels, Belgium) and Blue Current, a leading manufacturer of silicon elastic composite solid-state batteries, have agreed to strengthen their collaboration on the development of solid-state battery technology, with Umicore investing a minority stake in the U.S.-based start-up. This…