A new process for producing monoethylene glycol (MEG) from synthesis-gas-based feedstocks is nearing completion of extensive pilot plant operation, according to developers Eastman Chemical Co. (Kingsport, Tenn.; www.eastman.com) and Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Ltd. (London, U.K.; www.davyprotech.com). The technology enables…
Low-grade nickel (less than 1.5 wt.%) laterite ores represent about 70% of global reserves but account for only 40% of nickel production. Increasing demand for nickel in recent years has created the need to process such ores. Atmospheric acid leaching…
Plant Watch Chandra Asri and Michelin partner on synthetic-rubber manufacturing plant November 11, 2013 — PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (Jakarta, Indonesia; www.chandra-asri.com) and Compagnie Financière Michelin have formed a partnership for the inauguration of a synthetic-rubber plant. Construction of…
Pilot plant operation has been completed for a process that produces the fertilizer potassium sulfate from the mineral polyhalite, a hydrated sulfate of potassium, magnesium and calcium. The process, developed by Intercontinental Potash Corp. (ICP; Golden, Colo.; www.icpotash.com), resurrects a…
There is increasing interest in meeting the growing demand for generating power, fuels and chemicals by tapping into local resources. It not only reduces reliance on imported oil and gas, but also guarantees stable price development over the long term.…
The National Food Research Institute (NFRI) of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO; Tsukuba City, Japan; www.naro.affrc.go.jp) has developed an enzymatic pretreatment process for producing highly concentrated sugar solution from fibrous materials containing rice straw and starch. The…
Construction of a large-scale waste-to-energy plant will start in the middle of next year in Port Hedland, Western Australia, and operation is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2015. The plant will be built by the New Energy…
While staffing issues continue to be a tremendous challenge for companies in the chemical process industries (CPI), a number of strategies and training approaches are emerging to help address the need for trained engineers and skilled tradespersons. The shale-gas boom…
Last month, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI; www.mhi.co.jp) and Tokyo Gas Co. (both Tokyo, Japan; www.tokyo-gas.co.jop) began marketing a jointly developed 1,000-kW gas-engine cogeneration system. Based on the conventional 930-kW system, the new systems engine operates at a reduced speed…
Acetic acid from syngas A new process for the production of acetic acid claims to be more efficient and cost-effective than current technologies. Carbonylation of methanol has been the leading acetic acid technology for several decades, but BP plc…