Nitrile compounds (R–N≡N) are important for the manufacturing of fragrances, pharmaceuticals, superglue and chemical-resistant gloves. Currently, such nitrile compounds require the use of highly toxic cyanide in their synthesis. Now, an alternative cyanide-free chemo-enzymatic cascade process is being developed by…
At Achema 2024 (Frankfurt, Germany; June 10–15), Sulzer Chemtech (Winterthur, Switzerland; www.sulzer.com) revealed MellapakEvo (photo), the latest addition to its structured-packing product family. The MellapakEvo structured packing has been developed to enhance the efficiency and capacity of distillation columns, maximizing…
For the first time, perfusion disc separators for continuous production and faster processing can be implemented in biopharmaceutical cell-harvesting processes based on labor-saving, easy-to-use single-use devices. The newly introduced perfusion separators in this series (photo) offer the same advantages as…
Three of the critical aspects of dust collection systems are properly identifying necessary dust capture points, effectively capturing dust at each point and accounting for solids loading in the ductwork. Key considerations for these aspects are presented here Dust collection…
At a press conference during Achema 2024, Festo SE & Co. KG (Esslingen, Germany; www.festo.com) presented the BionicHydrogenBattery — a new concept for the simple storage and safe transportation of hydrogen. Currently, H2 can only be stored and transported safely…
The Viper-28 flange-spreading wedge (photo) is said to be the most powerful flange spreader in the world, boasting a spreading force of 28 metric tons and a precision tip measuring just 5 mm. This tool handles a wide range of…
The inclusion of nozzle flexibility (directional spring rate) in pipe-stress analysis results in more realistic piping reactions on pressure-vessel nozzles, whereby it will be easier to meet the limited nozzle-load capacity of the nozzles. It will surely contribute to a…
Ethernet-APL fulfills the promise to bring digitalization to every corner of a process plant. The fast and efficient communication of large amounts of data is barrier-free and reliable in potentially explosive areas. At 10 Mbit/s, the transmission of enormous amounts…
Researchers from the Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI; Fribourg, Switzerland; www.ami.swiss), together with international collaborators, have pioneered a novel method for creating thin, energy-converting membranes that mimic the structure and function of biological cell membranes. This discovery, described in a recent…
This company has earned the UL 508A certification for its pneumatic vacuum-conveyor controls (photo). Secured to support operator safety and help speed the conveyor installation process, the certification documents conformance with the National Electric Code (NEC) standard for the safe…