Latest News
New bulk-bag unloader discharges problematic materials
A new bulk-bag unloading station features a proprietary design that promotes the smooth, consistent, complete discharge of non-free-flowing materials. Developed for emptying difficult bagged powders and other bulk materials that cake, clump, bridge or generate nuisance dust, the new AFC…
Versatile production of biopolymers in new semi-crystalline format
Bio-based polymers, such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), are seeing increasing application as a more sustainable alternative to fossil-based materials. A new, flexible production platform developed by CJ Biomaterials, Inc. (Woburn, Mass.; www.cjbiomaterials.com) is now enabling the production of PHA in both…
Improving PRV Cost of Ownership with Upstream Rupture Discs
The costs associated with installing and maintaining pressure-relief valves (PRVs) can often be reduced by equipping systems with upstream rupture discs Reclosing pressure-relief devices, commonly referred to as pressure relief valves (PRVs), are designed to allow for the release of…
Benefiting from Nozzle Flexibility in Piping Design
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…
Beer-foam separator reduces water wastage
The Beer Foam Separator (BFS 900; photo) is built to be used in combination with this company’s GHS VSD+ screw vacuum pump. The BFS 900 was designed and developed in partnership with leading breweries and in direct response to the…
Focus on Mobile Devices
Updated digital technology to support field workers The updated Ability Connected Worker technology (photo) offers new functionalities that strengthen and accelerate the digitalization of the field-operator experience to mitigate the risk of human error and unscheduled downtime. The enhanced software…
A new single-use perfusion separator
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…
Tame turbulent flows with this conditioner
The Vortab Insertion Panel (VIP) flow conditioner (photo) features a unique design that maximizes flowmeter performance with minimal pressure drop in a simple-to-install, lightweight thin-panel design that overcomes turbulent pipe-flow profiles. The Model VIP blends the proven performance and low…
Biomimetic membrane may have promising applications
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…
A biocatalytic process for producing nitriles — without cyanide
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…