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Catalytic process converts sorted waste into aromatic compounds

The rising cost of landfilling trash creates a strong incentive to utilize the waste for saleable products. A recently piloted process is an example: the process can convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into a narrow range of valuable aromatic compounds.…

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Control biofouling with I2-vapor disinfection

A patented technology for infusing bubbles of elemental iodine into fluid or air can reduce microbial counts and potentially eliminate surface biofilms. Originally developed to remove biofilms from water lines in the dental industry, the technology is being used as…

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This coating makes glass into a solar panel

A layered coating that acts as an organic semiconductor material allows building windows to generate electricity from direct, indirect, shaded, diffused and reflected sunlight, as well as from artificial light. Developer SolarWindow Technologies Inc. (Columbia, Md.; www.solarwindow.com) has designed and…

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Engineering bacteria to make muconic acid

Researchers at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR; Singapore; www.a-star.edu.sg), led by Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, have provided another step toward replacing petrochemicals with renewable resources in the manufacture of synthetic fibers and plastics. The team has genetically modified Escherichia…

Business News for October 2016

Plant Watch BASF expands global production capacity of Ultrason polyarylsulfone September 8, 2016­— BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) will set up an additional production line for Ultrason polyarylsulfone at its site in Yeosu, Korea. The new line will start up…

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Ethics Survey Results: Your Responses

Responses from 2015 CE ethics survey range from hopeful to cynical, and both similarities and differences emerge when compared to earlier surveys In October 2015, Chemical Engineering conducted a survey among chemical process industries (CPI) professionals about workplace ethics and…

Chemical Safety: A Challenging Road Ahead

Passage of the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act has created a long and challenging road ahead for U.S. EPA rulemaking On June 22, 2016, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (LCSA) was signed into law with…

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Modeling and Simulation Go Beyond Design

More intuitive software allows new users to address optimization and complex tasks Modeling and simulation software is finding more use in chemical processing facilities because software vendors are making it easier to use and, therefore, more accessible to a wider…

Compressors, Fans and Blowers

This variable-speed drive for compressors pays for itself The Vorecon (photo) is a variable-speed planetary gear that is used to control the speed of compressors, fans and pumps. The Vorecon combines reliable a mechnanical design with hydrodynamic power transmission, which…

Using Excel VBA for Process-Simulator Data Extraction

Engineers can make better use of the results of process simulations by automatically exporting data into heat and material balance tables in Microsoft Excel Chemical engineering projects require process simulation to validate the chemical reactions and mechanical operations of the…