Latest News
Low-voltage, membrane-free electrolysis produces hydrogen and FDCA
A new approach to the traditional alkaline electrolyzers used to produce “green” hydrogen from water eliminates the membrane and introduces a new reaction mechanism at the anode, enabling the production of a high-value plastic precursor, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Developed at…
Industrial Heat Pumps for Waste-Heat Upgrading
Electrification of industrial processes using heat pumps is moving from niche applications toward the mainstream, but challenges to their implementation remain Decarbonization initiatives have focused attention on the production of process heat for industrial operations without the combustion of fossil…
Mobile Rounds, Real-Time Results: Kaneka Brings Operator Rounds into the Digital Age
At Kaneka North America, replacing paper procedures and reports with guided digital workflows for operator rounds streamlined knowledge-sharing and improved process consistency Kaneka North America LLC, a division of Kaneka Corp. (Osaka, Japan; www.kaneka.com), manufactures specialty chemicals and advanced polymer…
Testing Hydrogen Infrastructure Materials: A Practical Framework
As hydrogen infrastructure expands, existing material-qualification frameworks must keep pace with hydrogen-specific degradation risks, such as embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, permeation and accelerated aging Hydrogen infrastructure deployment is speeding up in the chemical process industries (CPI). However, the material qualification…
Focus On: Level Measurement
This level transmitter can reduce installation costs The Rosemount™ 3408 Wireless level transmitter with non-contacting radar (photo) reduces the complexity, time and costs associated with installing cabling in automated measurement points. By eliminating measurement blind spots and the need for…
Synthetic enzyme mimicry breaks open new aromatic reaction pathways
Mimicking enzyme-like behavior for synthetic chemistry is a growing field of exploration in sustainable chemical production, unlocking potential new reaction routes that eliminate waste and unwanted byproducts. A team of chemists from Penn State University (State College, Pa.; www.psu.edu) has…
Canada takes the stage with major energy and mineral investments
The first-ever Canada Investment Summit, held Sept. 14–15 in Toronto, along with other recent funding initiatives and global partnerships, put the spotlight on Canada’s support for innovation and competitiveness in energy, manufacturing and critical materials. The Summit convened investors from…
Offtake agreement inked for system that produces methanol from stranded methane economically
In late August, technology developer Emvolon, a spinout company from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Cambridge, Mass.; www.mit.edu), signed an offtake agreement with Freepoint Commodities LLC (www.freepoint.com) for methanol produced commercially via Emvolon’s technology starting in spring 2027. The…
Innovating Inspection: Advanced Nondestructive Testing in Hydrocarbon Plants
Nondestructive testing (NDT) can play a key role in ensuring safety at petrochemical and related plants. Provided here is an overview of available technologies for NDT, including capabilities and limitations, as well as training standards Inspection and maintenance of petroleum…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Real-Time Particle-Size Measurement
Particle size is a key parameter in many solids-handling processes, and can have a strong influence on product performance and quality, as well as for effectiveness of downstream operations. One important approach to particle-size measurement is conducting real-time, inline measurement…