Mobile Navigation

Latest News

Member Exclusive

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…

Member Exclusive

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…

Member Exclusive

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…

Member Exclusive

Effective Dust Collection: Capturing Dust and Accounting for Loading

Three of the critical aspects of dust collection systems are properly identifying necessary dust capture points, effectively capturing dust at each point and accounting for solids loading in the ductwork. Key considerations for these aspects are presented here Dust collection…

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…

Member Exclusive

Facts At Your Fingertips: Understanding Energy Efficiency in a Fired Heater

Process heating systems are critical parts of chemical process industries (CPI) facilities. Unfortunately, the reliable, efficient operation of utility systems is often taken for granted, and they receive little engineering attention. This is perhaps understandable, since these systems play a…

This tank-bottom valve is suitable for sterile applications

The pneumatically actuated P40 PD tank-bottom valve (photo) is designed for use in sterile applications. The sealing principle of the valve is based on the company’s PD sealing technology, which hermetically separates the actuator from the medium. All actuator parts…

Member Exclusive

Pilot plant produces climate-friendly cement clinker

Concrete production is responsible for 6–9% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. “The largest contribution to that comes from the production of cement, a precursor product,” says Peter Stemmermann from the Institute for Technical Chemistry (ITC) at the Karlsruhe Institute of…

Solids’ Characteristics and the Drying Process

Understanding material characteristics is important in designing and defining process criteria for optimal performance of rotary and fluidized-bed dryers The ability to efficiently, reliably and consistently dry bulk solids in an industrial setting relies largely on tailoring the dryer’s design…

Member Exclusive

Public-Private Partnerships Spur Decarbonization Efforts

Government programs, such as the Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP) in the U.S., are helping to advance commercial-scale decarbonization strategies including thermal energy storage, CO2 utilization and electrification As the world continues to grapple with climate change, companies’ strategies for managing…