In The News
Data Analytics Software for Process Optimization
Advanced software solutions drill down through the data to provide actionable information There is no shortage of data produced in a chemical processing facility, but sifting through the data to drill down to the useful information can be particularly cumbersome.…
Predictable plant-based production of complex biomolecules
Most plant-based bioprocesses involve growing plants in outdoor fields or greenhouses, but this is hindered by local climates and available space, and typical product yields are very low per plant, especially for natural active molecules used in pharmaceutical and healthcare…
This electrolysis cell produces high-purity iron
Processing iron ore is the most carbon-intensive step in the steelmaking process, often using coal as an energy source. A new technology, called Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) aims to decarbonize the iron-ore process through electrification. “In the MOE cell, an…
A new approach to refrigeration with no global-warming potential
Traditional vapor-compression refrigeration relies on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerant fluids — a class of compounds with global-warming potentials (GWP) thousands of times higher than that of CO2. A new approach from scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL; Berkeley, Calif.;…
‘Printing’ new catalyst candidates onto a chip
Discovering new catalysts and materials for specific applications can be a tedious and time-consuming process involving labor-intensive tests and expensive samples. Technology developed by Mattiq (Skokie, Ill.; www.mattiq.com) enables the “printing” of tens of thousands of tiny material samples onto…
Direct-air capture of CO2 via a liquid-based, low-temperature, thermochemical system
With global temperatures likely to rise beyond the 1.5°C target set by climate experts, negative emissions technologies — most notably direct air capture (DAC) — become increasingly important for addressing CO2 already in the atmosphere. A new DAC approach is…
Business News: September 2023
Plant Watch Mitsui Chemicals to increase production capacity for polyurethane dispersions August 11, 2023 — Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan; www.mitsuichemicals.com) will increase its production capacity for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) at the company’s Shimizu site. This expansion will approximately double…
The Changing Face of Water Treatment
Modern solutions help processors achieve water-related goals in a more proactive, cost-effective way Although water reuse and recycling began as a necessity in regions where water scarcity was a significant challenge, the increasing cost of water coupled with aggressive sustainability…
Commissioning completed for a carbon-capture pilot plant that uses a novel solvent
Commissioning is wrapping up this month for a pilot facility designed to validate the capabilities of a new carbon-capture solvent. The pilot plant was constructed by Koch Modular Process Systems (KMPS; Paramus, N.J.; www.kochmodular.com) as part of Project Enterprise, a…
This indirectly heated rotary kiln is powered by electricity
Metso Corp. (Helsinki, Finland; www.metso.com) has optimized its existing rotary kiln technology and launched RotarEkiln, an electrically powered, indirectly heated rotary kiln. The electric heating system of the RotarEkiln provides a sustainable alternative to conventional fuel-powered indirect rotary kilns. The…