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Measurement and modeling point the way toward optimization of mechanochemical recycling
The widely used plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be depolymerized by reacting it with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) under strong mechanical impact from metal spheres in a ball mill. This type of mechanochemical route to recycling could alleviate some of the…
Modern SIS: Balancing Safety with Process Availability
Advanced safety-instrumented system features minimize complexity, downtime and costs Chemical process plants must be vigilant when it comes to preventing accidents that have the potential to harm people, assets and the environment. While safety instrumented systems (SIS) reduce risks, they…
Nickel-based catalyst could allow recycling of mixed polyolefin waste
Among the major challenges facing efforts to chemically recycle common waste plastics is that many methods require a pure stream of a single type of polymer to be effective. Now, researchers at Northwestern University (NU; Evanston, Ill.; www.northwestern.edu), led by…
Dual-action nanocomposite combines adsorption and photocatalysis for wastewater treatment
Pharmaceutical residues, particularly from antibiotics, are extremely difficult to fully remove from wastewater using traditional bulk-treatment methods, wherein antibiotic compounds are often only partially broken down. Even at trace amounts, antibiotic fragments can accumulate and wreak havoc on natural ecosystems.…
Taking stock; looking ahead
Year’s end is, of course, the default juncture at which current situations are assessed and forecasts for the future are posited. As this year nears its end, indications are that 2026 will likely be a tough year for much of…
Dispersing Powders into Liquids: The Role of Vacuum in Wetting
Effectively dispersing powders into liquids can be a challenge. Utilizing vacuum in the correct ways can help with wetting and dispersion When introducing powdered materials into liquids, the goal is always to achieve an air-free dispersion of solids in the…
The Critical Role of Cost Estimation in Successful Project Execution
The ability to forecast costs, align budgets and maintain control throughout the lifecycle of a project can mean the difference between delivering value and facing costly overruns In asset-intensive industries, such as energy, chemicals, power and infrastructure, the balance between…
Enabling Clean Ammonia: Practical Lessons from a Full Plant Conversion
Low-carbon ammonia is an attractive driver for decarbonization of many product chains. Here are some practical insights from a legacy plant that was updated for cleaner ammonia production Ammonia production is under growing scrutiny as decarbonization becomes a global imperative.…
Electrostatic PFAS capture produces nearly zero waste
Increased concern around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water is necessitating more robust mitigation techniques. There are many technologies that can effectively capture or destroy PFAS, but challenges remain surrounding large volumes of PFAS-laden solid waste and fluorinated byproducts.…
Method for breakdown and removal of siloxanes from fluids garners patent
Siloxanes — synthetic chains of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms — are widely used in personal care products, soaps, pharmaceutical formulations and other products, but are notoriously difficult to manage in production- and waste-fluid streams. Current approaches, including flaring and…