The transformation of sulfur-containing molecules is an important reaction in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. However, the sulfur atom strongly coordinates with the active sites of metal catalysts, significantly decreasing the catalytic performance. Sulfur impurities contained in chemical feedstocks also cause…
Agronutris (Saint Orens de Gameville, France; www.agronutris.com) has selected Bühler AG (Uzwil, Switzerland; www.buhlergroup.com) as its process-solution provider for its first commercial-scale black-soldier-fly plant. Bühler will deliver a full-scope solution for the facility, which will be built in Rethel, France.…
Electrochem Technologies & Materials Inc. (Montreal, Canada; www.electrochem-technologies.com) has recently patented its process for the production and recycling of all vanadium electrolytes (VE) used in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). This electrochemical technology offers a sound and profitable alternative to…
Egg white is one of the most important protein ingredients for the food industry, with a market of 1.6-million ton/yr in 2020 and projected to grow in the future. Searching for sustainable alternatives to animal-based proteins has been of growing…
Honeywell UOP (Des Plaines, Ill.; www.honeywell.com/uop) recently began offering a post-combustion carbon-capture system based on new advanced solvent technology that allows for improved carbon-capture economics for hard-to-abate industries, such as steelmaking, rotary kiln operations (such as cement-making) and natural-gas power…
Plant Watch Ascend to build HMD plant in China’s Jiangsu province January 12, 2022 — Ascend Performance Materials (Houston; www.ascendmaterials.com) signed an investment agreement to construct a new hexamethylene diamine (HMD) and specialty chemicals plant in Lianyungang, China in the…
A new demonstration plant near Bakersfield, Calif. will produce carbon-negative “green” H2 from woody biomass waste, such as agricultural residues from orchard trees and walnut shells. Developed by Mote, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.; www.motehydrogen.com), with engineering partners Fluor Corp. (Irving,…
Beyond product quality, process analytical technology (PAT) strategies optimize processes and efficiency in the chemical process industries The process analytical technology (PAT) initiative was started by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 to ensure quality of product…
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are typically copolymers of a plastic and a rubber that have both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. The best-known TPEs include styrenic block polymers, which contain molecular blocks of polystyrene (which is hard) and polydiene (which is rubbery).…
Engineering design is underway for a new plant for making renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) from biogas produced by agricultural digesters or derived from landfills. Project developer Oberon Fuels (San Diego, Calif.; www.oberonfuels.com) is basing the new plant on its existing…