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Accelerated electrons unlock sugars from cellulosic biomass
Obtaining sugars from cellulosic biomass cost-effectively is difficult because the predominant biopolymers in plant material evolved to protect these sugars. A process currently being scaled up for obtaining sugars from waste agricultural biomass employs beams of accelerated electrons to fracture…
Selective oxidation of methane makes formaldehyde, without generating CO2
Researchers from South Korea have discovered a high-performance catalyst for the selective oxidation of methane to formaldehyde. The study was conducted by staff from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (Ulsan; www.unist.ac.kr), Ajou University (Suwon; www.ajou.ac.kr) and Hanyang University…
Mechanical CO2 sequestration improves algae production
A new, mechanical method for sequestration of carbon dioxide into water was evaluated at the University of Texas’ (Austin; www.utexas.edu) Bioproducts and Bioenergy Analytical Service Center and has revealed a pathway to economically improve algae growth for production of oils.…
Process intensification for carbon capture could reduce costs
In conventional solvent-based carbon-capture systems, CO2-rich exhaust gas contacts gravity-driven solvents in a vertical packed-bed column. A novel approach developed by Carbon Clean Solutions USA Inc. (CCSUS; Cumming, Ga.; www.carboncleansolutions.com) employs centrifugal force from rotating horizontal packed beds to effect…
Plant Watch: March 2019
Plant Watch Sasol begins operating LLDPE unit at Lake Charles site February 13, 2019 — Sasol Ltd. (Johannesburg, South Africa; www.sasol.co.za) announced that its new linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) unit in Lake Charles, La. has achieved beneficial operations. The LLDPE…
Chemical Recycling Makes Waste Plastic a Resource
With an eye toward a circular economy, technology developers are advancing a host of new approaches to chemical recycling of post-use commodity plastics Plastics are indispensable parts of almost every sector of the economy, with wide-ranging economic, environmental and convenience…
Flow Monitoring for Today’s Chemical Processes
New technologies provide diagnostics and calibration verification to improve maintenance and process efficiency Because many processes in the chemical process industries (CPI)are controlled by flow, it is important that the technology selected for flow monitoring and measurement is not only…
Focus on Air Pollution Control
These ceramic filters have catalysts built-in The BisCat filter system (photo) combines the three process stages of de-dusting, separation of acid components and reduction of total hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in one unit. The system uses high-temperature filters…
Facts at your Fingertips: Hygienic Process Equipment Fabrication
In hygienic process operations, proper system construction and fabrication has the greatest influence on end-product quality and the success of process validation. Even well-designed hygienic systems can be compromised by leaching, poor internal finishes and mishandled material sourcing and other…
Technology Profile: Calcium Carbide Production from Limestone
This column is based on “Calcium Carbide Production from Limestone – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/calcium-carbide-production-cost. Calcium carbide is the most industrially relevant carbide because of its important role as the basis…