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Chemical Engineering

Methane-to-bioplastics technology takes advantage of wastewater off-gases

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers that are positioned as a promising alternative to conventional plastics. They can be produced from a variety of biological and renewable feedstocks. Mango Materials (MM; Vacaville, Calif.; www.mangomaterials.com) produces PHAs at a pilot plant and…

Targeted magnetic system recovers valuable iron phosphate from sewage sludge

Many wastewater-treatment plants rely on iron-based coagulation to remove phosphorus from water. Following treatment with iron-based coagulants, most iron present in the sewage sludge is in the form of an iron-phosphate mineral known as vivianite. A patented technology called ViviMag…

Micro-architectural alterations remove hurdles that hinder hydrogen fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen to generate clean electricity and pure water, are considered among the most promising clean energy sources. However, the accumulation of liquid water inside hydrogen fuel cells is a major roadblock to efficient…

Delayed coking process converts biomass to graphite at reduced temperatures and generates fuels

Demand for synthetic graphite, a top-priority critical material in the U.S., is increasing because of its use in lithium-ion battery anodes and in steel-making. To meet the increased demand, while also cultivating a domestic source of synthetic graphite (most of…

Zwitterions enhance ion transport for polymer-based electrolyte material

Batteries with solid-state electrolyte materials, rather than liquids or gels, are a goal of technology developers because of their advantages for battery safety, durability and reduced charge times. Certain ceramic-based electrolytes have shown the ability to transport ions quickly, but…

Pilot-scale production of gasoline and naphtha from carbon dioxide

A team of researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT; Daejeon, South Korea; www.krict.re.kr), along with industry partners, has developed catalyst and process technology that converts carbon dioxide into liquid hydrocarbons, such as gasoline and naphtha, without…

Innovative Membrane and Filter Technologies Reduce Downtime

New materials, designs and digitalization provide cost-effective, long-term membrane-system performance Chemical processors prioritize uptime and high performance in membrane and filtration systems, so innovative technologies are being developed to minimize downtime and provide more cost-effective long-term performance in challenging chemical…

Facts At Your Fingertips: Industrial Air Pollutants

Industrial production generates a host of air pollutants that must be mitigated using various air-pollution control (APC) technologies. This one-page reference provides information on the most significant and prevalent categories of air pollutants from industrial sites. Acid gases Acid gases…

Instrumentation as a Strategic Lever: Turning Compliance and Safety into Competitive Advantage

The expectations placed on plant operators have never been higher. Regulatory frameworks are tightening, environmental accountability is under constant scrutiny and the margin for error in process safety is shrinking. At the same time, producers are expected to improve efficiency,…

Acelen Renewables awarded $1.5 billion in funding for biorefinery project in Brazil

Acelen Renewables, the renewable energy company of Mubadala Capital, announced that it has secured $1.5 billion to initiate construction of its renewable fuels biorefinery in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Part of the funding is being provided through a consortium…