Latest News: Technologies
Storing and processing anhydrous hydrogen chloride as an ionic liquid
Hydrogen chloride is an important byproduct of the chemical industry, with over 9-million ton/yr generated by industrial chlorination processes, such as the production of chloromethanes and polymers (polyurethanes and polycarbonates). Although HCl can be easily recovered by gas scrubbing with…
Electrochemical sensor selectively detects dangerous bacteria
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt (www.uni-frankfurt.de) and Kiel University (both Germany; www.uni-kiel.de) have developed a new sensor for the detection of bacteria. It is based on a chip with a surface coating that ensures only very specific microorganisms, such as…
Improving sodium-ion batteries with nanocellular graphene
Nanocellular graphene (NCG) is a specialized form of graphene that achieves a large specific surface area by stacking multiple layers of graphene and controlling its internal structure with a nanoscale cellular morphology. Although the material has the potential to improve…
Solid-state synthesis simplifies cathode manufacture
The production and processing of cathode active materials (CAM) are among the largest contributors to the cost of lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Typical CAM manufacture involves multiple, multi-phase steps in a co-precipitation process that requires a large amount of water and…
This cooling and water-harvesting system requires no heat
A novel technology for cooling and dehumidification is nearing commercialization through several strategic partnerships, including GE Vernova, BASF and Carrier Global. Montana Technologies’ (Ronan, Mont.; www.mt.energy) AirJoule technology employs a metal-organic-framework (MOF) desiccant material that exhibits higher water-uptake capacity and…
A new super-duplex tube tailored for acids
Last month at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2024 (New Orleans, La.; March 3–7), Alleima AB (Sandviken, Sweden; www.alleima.com) introduced SAF 3006 (UNS S83071), a high-alloy duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steel tailored to enhance corrosion resistance in acidic and caustic…
Recovering lithium with thermal-swing liquid-liquid deionization
Much of the planet’s lithium is contained in brine, but the concentration is often quite low, making it difficult to efficiently extract lithium — typical extraction technologies may only demonstrate 30–60% yield. Adionics (Les Ulis, France; www.adionics.com) has developed a…
Chementator Briefs
CO2 liquefaction Last month, Linde Engineering (Pullach, Germany; www.linde-engineering.com) signed a contract with Yara International ASA (Oslo, Norway; www.yara.com) to build a world-scale carbon dioxide liquefaction plant in Sluiskil, the Netherlands. The Sluiskil project forms a key part of Yara’s…
Completely recycled viscose for the first time
Researchers at Lund University (Sweden; www.lth.se) have succeeded in converting worn-out cotton sheets into new viscose fibers using a process that — for the first time — enables all of the viscose to be recycled. Current recycling methods often require…
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer boosts interfacial adhesion and recyclability
The high strength-to-weight ratio and robust mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) make them attractive for use in wind-power turbine blades, automobile components, and in airplanes and spacecraft. However, challenges — such as weak interfacial adhesion and poor recyclability —…