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Direct cryo-compression of gaseous hydrogen: the “best of both worlds” between liquefaction and compression
Safe and cost-effective storage represents one of the major hurdles in the widespread adoption of “clean” hydrogen in energy applications. A hydrogen-storage approach called cryo-compression is being poised as a bridge between high-density (but expensive) hydrogen liquefaction and cheaper (but…
Selecting an Activated Carbon for Regenerable Steam Systems
In adsorption processes using steam to regenerate activated carbon, the carbon’s physical characteristics can greatly impact efficiency and optimization Processes using activated carbon as an adsorbent (Figure 1) can be ideal candidates for regeneration using hot fluids like CO2, CH4,…
Direct synthesis of C2 hydrocarbons using photoelectrochemistry
Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, Calif. www.lbl.gov), along with a host of collaborators, have made progress on an artificial photosynthesis system that converts CO2 into ethane and ethylene using nanostructured copper and perovskite. In a recent publication…
Refining Intelligence: Transforming Operations with AI
When challenged by fragmented knowledge and time-intensive manual analysis, artificial intelligence helped to accelerate decision-making during operational events Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept in the chemical process industries (CPI) — it is a present-day driver of…
Generative and Agentic AI: Intelligent Manufacturing Evolves
As many chemical producers are developing and implementing comprehensive AI strategies, newer AI paradigms, such as generative and agentic platforms are set to transform the benefits AI can provide Due to the continuous generation of data and the complexity and…
Plant Watch: June 2025 Business News
Plant Watch Cariflex opens $355-million latex plant in Singapore May 15, 2025 — Cariflex Pte. Ltd. (Singapore; www.cariflex.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of DL Chemical Co., Ltd. (DL Chemical), inaugurated its new polyisoprene latex plant at Jurong Island, Singapore. With…
Global chemical production rose in April, but fell for the U.S., ACC says
In a recent data release, the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) said global chemical production rose in April, while U.S. chemical production fell. ACC said, "Following a 0.7% gain in March, ACC’s Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global…
RIC Energy and Siemens to jointly develop renewable hydrogen, green ammonia and e-fuels projects
RIC Energy (Madrid, Spain) and Siemens AG (Munich, Germany) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop innovative projects in the fields of renewable hydrogen, green ammonia, and e-fuels in Spain. The collaboration will especially boost the sustainable…
Gevo sells Agri-Energy subsidiary to A.E. Innovation
Gevo, Inc. (Englewood, Colo.) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Agri-Energy, LLC (Agri), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gevo, to A.E. Innovation, LLC for $7 million. The transaction includes Agri’s 18-million-gallon-per-year ethanol-production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota. Gevo…
Metso to sell its Ferrous business to SMS Group
Metso Corp. (Espoo, Finland) has signed an agreement to sell its Ferrous business to SMS group (Düsseldorf, Germany), a global company providing technology and services in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the metals industry. The businesses to be divested…