Post-combustion carbon-capture processes that are based on adsorption of CO2 by amine compounds reduce the power output of coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants largely due to the energy required to regenerate the CO2 from the adsorbent material. In another approach,…
The CPI requires more innovative and comfortable chemical-resistant clothing, goggles and gloves to protect workers The purpose of chemical protective clothing (CPC) is to shield and protect workers from chemicals. However, explains Sally J. Smart, a Certified Safety Professional and…
Colloidal glasses develop structural color through constructive interference. The color can be tuned by adjusting interparticle distance, making the colloidal glasses attractive for use as color pigments for use in coatings, displays, colorimetric sensors and optical barcodes. While colloidal crystals…
Computational technology from Arzeda Corp. (Seattle, Wash.; www.arzeda.com) can streamline the development of novel enzymes, as well as improve existing enzymes, for industrial fermentation. The company’s proprietary computational platform, known as Archytas, uses advanced algorithms to design and screen a…
Last April, a demonstration plant started up for the production of hydrogen from aluminum-based composite waste. The startup marks the culmination of a project, supported by NEDO, in which Alhytec Inc. (Takaoa City, Japan; www.alhytec.co.jp) developed the process to separate…
Last month at the IFAT trade fair (May 30–June 3; Munich, Germany), Huber SE (Berching: www.huber.de) and Microdyn-Nadir GmbH (Wiesbaden, both Germany: www.microdyn-nadir.de) unveiled a rotating membrane bioreactor (MBR) that utilizes membrane laminate technology. “By combining our two technologies we…
Cooling-tower motor A new electric motor for driving cooling-tower fans features a design that prevents current from flowing through the shaft bearings, allowing longer lifetime and less maintenance. The TEAO motor, made by Marathon Motors Corp. (Wausau, Wis.; www.marathonelectric.com) also…
An all-weather solar cell that generates electricity by both sunlight and rain has been developed by researchers led by professor Qunwei Tang from the Institute of Material Science and Engineering at Ocean University of China (Qingdao; http://eweb.ouc.edu.cn) and professor Peizhi…
Plant Watch Ineos to build world-scale linear alpha-olefins unit in Texas May 17, 2016 — Ineos (Rolle, Switzerland; www.ineos.com) has announced that Ineos Oligomers has made a final investment decision build a new world-scale linear alpha-olefin (LAO) unit at Chocolate Bayou, Tex.…
Regulation of water content in polymeric membranes is important in several applications, including proton-exchange fuel cell membranes. Normally, this is achieved either by external regulation or by operating the cells at higher temperatures. Now a team from CSIRO (Melbourne, Australia;…