New packings and trays encourage effectiveness and energy efficiency in traditional and emerging applications Equipment for distillation, absorption, stripping, extraction and phase separation plays a major role in the chemical process industries (CPI). However, separation processes are notoriously energy intensive,…
A process commercialized by Fortera Corp. (San Jose, Calif.; www.forteraglobal.com) creates a cement product that reduces CO2 emissions by 70% on a ton-for-ton basis, and can be blended with conventional cement or used as a standalone material to make ready-mix…
Plant Watch Asahi Kasei starts operation of multi-module hydrogen pilot plant in Japan May 14, 2024 — Asahi Kasei Corp. (Tokyo; www.asahi-kasei.com) opened a new hydrogen pilot plant in Kawasaki, Japan. In the pilot plant, four 0.8-MW electrolyzer modules are…
E-Cracking Last April, BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com), SABIC (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com) and Linde Engineering (Pullach, Germany; www.linde-engineering.com) inaugurated the world’s first demonstration plant for large-scale electrically heated steam-cracking furnaces. Following three years of development, engineering, and construction work,…
Most modern chemical processes require some means of rejecting heat for maintaining process efficiency, product quality and plant safety. Examples of heat rejection include cooling crystallization liquid, cooling reactor effluent, condensing material from a distillation column and cooling steps in…
Asphaltenes are an ultra-complex fraction of crude petroleum that comprise a diverse population of molecules that vary in size, solubilities, aggregation states and hetero-atom contents. Asphaltene buildup and deposits create many operational and safety issues, and can occur anywhere in…
By providing comprehensive ongoing training solutions, promoting emergency preparedness and implementing proactive safety guidelines on a day-to-day basis, employers can set their staff up for success In 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA; Washington, D.C.; www.osha.gov) reported a…
Lummus Technology (Houston) announced the commercial availability of CDDME, a new renewable dimethyl ether (DME) technology that is enhanced through catalytic distillation (CD). "Lummus has a leading market position and extensive commercial experience in ethers production, from small specialty applications…
LyondellBasell (LYB; Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Alujain Corporation (Alujain) announced completion of the acquisition of a 35% interest in Saudi Arabia–based National Petrochemical Industrial Company (NATPET) by LYB from Alujain. The joint venture is enabled by LYB Spheripol polypropylene (PP)…
Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany) has acquired the manufacturing assets and know-how of U.S.-based Bio Med Sciences Inc. to expand its expertise and business in silicone-coated healthcare products. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed between WACKER and the Pennsylvania-based company.…