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Persistent PFAS problems call for chemical processing ingenuity
It is widely known that the class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) leads to persistent contamination in water and soil ecosystems, creating one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Now, recently published research findings from Texas…
Autonomous chemistry system identifies high-performing and tunable catalysts
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU; Raleigh; www.ncsu.edu) and the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill; www.unc.edu), with the support of Eastman Chemical Co. (www.eastman.com), have developed a closed-loop autonomous catalysis platform for identifying high-performing catalyst formulations and for…
Microwave irradiation and ion exchange lower cost of battery upcycling
Approaches for recycling cathode active materials from used lithium-ion batteries generally face a tradeoff wherein recovering materials with the widest range of possibilities for re-use, such as pyrometallurgical methods, generally require high energy and long process times, while direct-recycling approaches…
Spark ablation technology cuts iridium use by 90% in PEM water electrolysis
Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis holds significant promise for “green” hydrogen production, but broader adoption hinges on reducing dependence on costly platinum-group metals, such as iridium. A new production method for ultra-thin nanoporous layers developed by VSParticle B.V. (VSP; Delft,…
The Hidden Constraint: How Decarbonization is Reshaping Steam Systems
Steam systems are among the most deeply integrated — yet routinely overlooked — utility systems in the CPI. As decarbonization initiatives take off, steam systems are impacted in ways that can influence project feasibility, operability and economics Steam systems have…
Application-Specific Valves Deliver Reliability
Engineering valves for a specific application increases performance in challenging and complex chemical processes Valves play a critical role in the chemical process industries (CPI). They help manage capital-intensive operations, protect equipment and support environmental compliance. Rather than relying on…
VOC Control: Solvent Recovery Versus Oxidation
Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) are commonly used for abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but in some cases, solvent-recovery systems can realize significant economic and environmental benefits In the field of industrial air-pollution control, the regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) is…
Business News: August 2026
Plant Watch Air Liquide to supply ultra-high-purity gases to semiconductor fab in Arizona July 16, 2026 — Air Liquide S.A. (Paris, France; www.airliquide.com) announced a new investment of over $160 million to build, own and operate a new large-scale production…
Taming reactive radicals to streamline C-glycoside drug synthesis
Many widely used pharmaceuticals depend on a carbohydrate class known as C-glycosides, which are metabolically stable and acid-resistant. Although they can be made from common sugars like dextrose, C-glycosides have proven difficult to synthesize due to the preponderance of hydroxyl…
Focus On: Process Control
New version of DCS delivers software-defined capabilities Version 16 of this company’s automation platform has been enhanced with a distributed control system (DCS) and integrated safety instrumented system that delivers software-defined capabilities that reduce automation costs, enhance operational intelligence, improve…