Latest News
Targeted magnetic system recovers valuable iron phosphate from sewage sludge
Many wastewater-treatment plants rely on iron-based coagulation to remove phosphorus from water. Following treatment with iron-based coagulants, most iron present in the sewage sludge is in the form of an iron-phosphate mineral known as vivianite. A patented technology called ViviMag…
Methane-to-bioplastics technology takes advantage of wastewater off-gases
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers that are positioned as a promising alternative to conventional plastics. They can be produced from a variety of biological and renewable feedstocks. Mango Materials (MM; Vacaville, Calif.; www.mangomaterials.com) produces PHAs at a pilot plant and…
Plasma in Practice: Low-Emission Flaring Technology Moves Forward
A novel flare-stack configuration utilizing plasma technology has transitioned from the research stage to a commercial-scale operating site Amidst ambitious sustainability goals and the drive toward “net zero” emissions, engineering and research teams across the globe are developing and evaluating…
Pilot-scale production of gasoline and naphtha from carbon dioxide
A team of researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT; Daejeon, South Korea; www.krict.re.kr), along with industry partners, has developed catalyst and process technology that converts carbon dioxide into liquid hydrocarbons, such as gasoline and naphtha, without…
Focus On: Compressors, Fans and Blowers
This compressor delivers high flow in a compact design The latest addition to this company’s DrillAir family of portable air compressors is the X-Air+ 800-20 (photo). Delivering up to 800 ft3/min, the model is said to deliver high flow at…
Micro-architectural alterations remove hurdles that hinder hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen to generate clean electricity and pure water, are considered among the most promising clean energy sources. However, the accumulation of liquid water inside hydrogen fuel cells is a major roadblock to efficient…
AI and Human-Centered Skills in Modern Engineering
Natural-language models powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can enhance human-centered skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence and interpersonal workflows in chemical-manufacturing settings The chemical process industries (CPI) operate in environments defined by nonlinear system behavior, tight safety margins…
A scalable method for recovering molybdenum from end-of-life catalysts
Molybdenum is a crucial element in many industrial catalysts used in the production of steels, alloys and specialty chemicals. Much of the global supply chain for molybdenum relies on mining operations in China and Russia, so various efforts are underway…
Zwitterions enhance ion transport for polymer-based electrolyte material
Batteries with solid-state electrolyte materials, rather than liquids or gels, are a goal of technology developers because of their advantages for battery safety, durability and reduced charge times. Certain ceramic-based electrolytes have shown the ability to transport ions quickly, but…
You and Your Job: Pursuing Early Internships
Traditionally, student engineering internships are undertaken after completion of third-year undergraduate coursework, but earlier internships can provide benefits both to students and to companies The importance of internships to students and companies has been discussed in earlier articles [1–3] and…