The industrial production of aluminum involves electrolysis of alumina (Al2O3) in molten cryolite, a mineral used as a solvent for the aluminum oxide raw material. Over time, the cryolite accumulates impurities, such as sodium, lithium and potassium ions, which degrade…
Coveralls for chemical and fire protection This company’s recently launched Tychem® 6000 SFR is a lightweight, hooded garment (photo) designed to help protect people working in challenging environments against multiple chemical and flash-fire hazards. Tychem garments may be suitable for…
One way to develop safer, more-sustainable chemical processes is to substitute potentially harmful chemicals with less-risky alternatives. Organic solvents, which are widely used in industrial processes, can pose health, safety and environmental risks. Researchers at Rice University (Houston, Tex.; www.rice.edu)…
Decreasing the dependence on expensive platinum-group metals like iridium is vital for the expansion of “green” hydrogen production via proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. Efforts to develop lower-iridium catalytic components for electrolysis have typically focused on mixing iridium into a…
This company’s purpose-built perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)-coated ribbon blender (photo) is engineered to meet the needs of sensitive and challenging applications where stainless steel or carbon steel may not be suitable. The interior of the trough, the double ribbon agitator, bolted stub…
The new CablePro tubular drag conveyor (photo) is designed with components that offer chemical compatibility, including corrosion-resistant coatings and polished stainless-steel tubing. It is equipped with self-lubricating disks, which are injection-molded directly onto a pre-stretched, oil-lubricated stainless-steel braided cable with…
Enhanced measurement capabilities offer more reliable control to boost quality, reduce waste and ensure safety As optimization, sustainability and safety initiatives continue to be a driving force in the chemical process industries (CPI), accurate, responsive and reliable temperature measurements are…
KSE 3.0 safety valves (photo) replace their predecessor’s polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) housing lining with PFA copolymer, which is thermoplastic processable and transparent, facilitating visual quality inspection of the lining. For a seamless replacement, the leg dimensions of the new PFA-lined safety…
A team of scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL; Richland, Wash.; www.pnnl.gov) recently unveiled a modified version of the “superalloy” Inconel 617, in which cobalt — a component of the alloy that is also a critical material with significant…
Intermediate buik containers (IBCs) are commonly used to contain and transport flowable solid materials across many industry sectors. Provided here is an overview of the applications for which different types can be used, as well as their benefits Intermediate bulk…