Chemical Engineering
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,…
Eco-friendly method for making MOF-encapsulated enzymes expands possibilities
Enzyme-based biocatalysts are a key aspect of industrial green-chemistry initiatives, but they often don’t have the required stability to perform in industrial settings. A strategy for allowing enzymes to function longer and under harsher conditions has been to encapsulate them…
Electro-extraction technique unlocks copper in waste streams
Initiatives to increase electrification and build digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence are among the trends increasing demand for copper (and other critical materials), prompting efforts to identify new sources of the metal. The startup company SiTration (Watertown, Mass.; www.sitration.com), a…
A more straightforward condensation route from bioethanol to linear alcohols
Linear alcohols, such as butanol, hexanol and octanol are widely used in coatings, adhesives, surfactants, detergents, lubricants, cosmetics and many other products, as well as fuels. Typical industrial methods for producing these alcohols rely on fossil resources and low-selectivity mechanisms…
Alkaline thermal process generates hydrogen fuel from mixed plastic waste
A team of researchers from the Ewha Women’s University (Seoul, South Korea; www.ewha.ac.kr) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA; www.ucla.edu) have taken a step toward addressing one of the main challenges in plastics recycling — economically processing…
Novel microwave method reshapes thermal regeneration for direct-air CO2 capture
Many direct-air capture (DAC) technologies employ sorbent materials to remove CO2 from ambient air. These sorbents require periodic thermal regeneration — typically using steam — to release bound CO2. This thermal regeneration step is often the largest cost and energy…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Net Positive Suction Head: NPSHa versus NPSHr
Net positive suction head (NPSH) is a crucial topic for the design, selection and operation of pump systems in chemical process industries (CPI) facilities. This one-page reference provides information about NPSH available (NPSHa) and NPSH required (NPSHr). Hydrostatic pressure Hydrostatic…
Multivariable Sensors Offer Better Accuracy and Insight
Multivariable measurements can help optimize processes and drive sustainability With chemical manufacturers under pressure to gain a better understanding of their processes, improve operational efficiency and safety, control costs and provide accurate data to regulators, the use of multivariable process…
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…
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…